Government failure to tackle regional imbalance criticised at public meeting
FRUSTRATION at the failure of successive Governments to tackle the issues of regional imbalance and rural decline was the main message from a public meeting in Tubbercurry last Wednesday evening.
Hosted by Chris MacManus MEP, the meeting was held in the An Chroí Digital Hub South Sligo Enterprise centre and featured contributions from INHFA President Vincent Roddy, community activist Donna Hyland and representatives of local community organisations. Among topics discussed were the upgrading of the N17, the development of the western rail corridor, the lack of housing and the challenges of planning law and county development plans.
The success of Knock Airport was given as an example that shows what is possible in the region when the proper political will exists.
The meeting was attended by representatives from business, tourism, community groups and residents from across county Sligo.
Chris MacManus, MEP for the Midlands Northwest, thanked panellists Vincent Roddy and Donna Hyland, and those who attended.
“It was a very productive evening with many interesting ideas and proposals which we will be taking on board and which will inform us in our work as we seek to tackle the issues of regional imbalance and rural decline.
“The current crises in Health and Housing were, of course, prevalent as well as the cost-ofliving crisis.
“It was clear from this meeting that there is huge frustration about successive Government's failure to address these issues. A lack of investment in infrastructure and key public services,” Mr McManus said.
He said at a European level he would continue to fight for greater supports for this region through protecting access to regional aid, restoring the region to the TEN-T Core Network so that critical infrastructure projects can benefit from EU funding, and a comprehensive investment package for the region, by utilising Cohesion funding, State Aid flexibility, the billion euro allocation of the RRF and the Brexit Fund. He said Sinn Féin will continue to fight for fairness and equality for the west at local, national and European levels.