A DONEGAL senator has
urged the Government not to use the downturn in the
economy as an excuse to turn its back on Donegal and
the west.
Senator Pearse Doherty said infrastructural projects
such as the Derry-Dublin motorway must go ahead to
ensure the region remained competitive and that
much-needed jobs are created.
“It is disappointing that little detail has been
given with respect to the Government announcement
that it is seeking to achieve €440 million in
‘savings’," said the Sinn Féin senator. |
“Despite Government
commitments to the contrary there is growing
evidence
across many public services including health and
education, of cuts that are already beginning to
hurt the most vulnerable. Hospital wards are being
closed and services are being reduced or removed
completely. Nowhere is this felt more acutely than
in rural Ireland."
Senator Doherty said it was clear that "more drastic
cutbacks" would form part of the December Budget as
the Government struggled to tackle the shortfall in
the public finances. |
 |
“The downturn cannot be
used as an excuse once again for the state to turn
its back on the west of Ireland. It is absolutely
crucial to the future viability of the region that
social and infrastructural projects such as the
Derry Dublin motorway are progressed. Pressing ahead
with these projects, the schools building programme
and social housing will ensure much needed
employment as the dramatic downturn in the
construction industry continues," added Senator
Doherty.
He called on the Government to outline clearly what
action it is to take to stem rising unemployment and
to ensure new jobs are created.
"We need a package of measures to support the
development of indigenous enterprise. One of the key
lessons for the Government is that it must
proactively plan for the future of the economy.” |
