Ring urged to use Tubbercurry base

The Council has agreed to write to the new Minister for Community and Rural Affairs, Michael Ring, to set up his Department of Rural Affairs in Tubbercurry.

Councillor Jerry Lundy tabled the motion.

“I’d like to congratulate Michael Ring. Eamon O’Cuiv brought 100 jobs to Tubbercurry, the benefit was enormous,” said Cllr Lundy.

“People were shopping local, going to school, playing with clubs, it was a great boost to the local economy,” he said.

“But they moved them back to Dublin. The Department of Rural Affairs should be in rural Ireland. I know there are people in Dublin who can’t afford to by a house and spending hours commuting - it’s not sustainable,” he said.

He was supported by Cllr Michael Clarke and Margaret Gormley but Cllr Hubert Keaney said those jobs went back to Ballina.

The now vacant former Government building in Tubbercurry.