DONEGAL Sinn Féin has
expressed concern for the future of the Western
Development Commission following a meeting with the
Council for the West and the Oireachtas Liaison
Committee. Senator Pearse Doherty said the fears
were raised following a request by the Government
for the Commission to examine the possibility of it
being brought under the umbrella of Enterprise
Ireland.
"This would be a disastrous decision and
counterproductive to the economic development of the
West at a time when the region faces serious
challenges in the current financial recession," said
Senator Doherty.
Sinn Féin has been campaigning in recent months for
the social and economic development of the West of
Ireland. It culminated in an Oireachtas report by
Senator Doherty entitled 'Awakening the West:
Overcoming Social and Economic Inequality’. Senator
Doherty added: "It is clear to me from meeting
groups all along the western seaboard including the
Western Development Commission itself that this body
is absolutely crucial to the development of the
West," said Senator Doherty. "It must be exempt from
any cutbacks imposed as a result of the current
economic difficulties. I am calling on the
Government to keep its hands off the Western
Development Commission.” |
