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Killeen rejects he made ‘veiled
threat’
17.02.09
FISHERMEN in
Greencastle have expressed concern at comments made
last week by Minister of State for Fisheries, Tony
Killeen. The fishermen claim Minister Killeen made a
"veiled threat" about ongoing funding for the
Greencastle Harbour development.
Making reference to their recent protest during his
visit, Minister Killeen is reported to have said:
"When representatives of Greencastle fishermen are
making a statement that their fishery is finished,
it is difficult for me to get additional funding. |
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"When they are saying
their fishery is finished, how do you persuade the
department to do the harbour for this?" Angry
representatives yesterday asked: "Is this some kind
of veiled threat about our future funding?"
But Minister Killeen last night rejected this
suggestion. He said he made the same comments in
person to fishermen during his visit.
“It is unhelpful for people to be putting the word
about that Greencastle fishery is finished and
simultaneously argue for |
a huge development,”
said Mr Killeen.
It was understood locally that the minister would
make an announcement about the next tranche of
funding for Greencastle Harbour, during his visit on
Saturday, February 7.
But Mr Killeen last night rejected this, insisting
that no funding announcement had been planned. “This
is completely incorrect. The harbour programme for
the country hasn’t even been agreed,” he said. He
also said that straitened financial times meant that
decisions on a number of Government spending
programmes had yet to be made.
“The circumstances this year are more difficult
because of the financial state of the country. No
(harbour) programme has been approved,” he said. He
said two factors would have to be taken into account
- namely, the level of commitment already entered
into in relation to a harbour development and the
total amount of funding available. |
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