22 October 1998 Edition

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False debate on Objective 1 slammed

O Caoláin calls for real reform of local government



Caoimhghín O Caoláin TD this week raised the demand for retention of Objective 1 Status for EU Structural Funds for the Border region, the West and the Midlands in a Dáil debate.

The Cavan/Monaghan deputy was speaking in Wednesday's debate on the Western Development Commission Bill and he called for the cross-border dimension of the issue to be recognised. He also deplored the false debate which is attempting to set urban disadvantage against rural disadvantage.

Deputy O Caoláin told the Dáil on Tuesday: ``I ask that we consider the establishment of a Cross-border Development Commission, aimed at addressing the complete spread of rural disadvantage across this, the most remote of all major EU regions. Even though a review of this piece of legislation has not been envisaged I submit that we should consider how the proposal might be made into a positive working aspect of the Good Friday Agreement.

``There needs to be clear recognition by this government of the needs of the Border counties and the Midlands. It follows therefore that the government should make a positive decision with regard to regionalisation and the retention of Objective 1 Status.

``We need to make very clear that the proposal for regionalisation is not intended, and will not have the effect, of awarding one region at the expense of another. We need to make clear also, and as an all-Ireland party we in Sinn Féin are very conscious of it, that poverty and disadvantage exist within every region North, South, East and West, in urban and rural areas. Both Irish government and EU policy must be geared to combat poverty and disadvantage, and to redistribute wealth both within regions and between regions.

``The issue of regionalisation relates solely and specifically to the EU Structural Funds. Those funds are based on regions and unfortunately do not take account of disparties within regions. That is the reality we have to deal with. The reality also is that the West, the Border and the Midlands still lag behind the rest of the State in terms of economy and infrastructure. Regionalisation for the purpose of retention of Objective 1 Status is therefore a vital component - but only one component - of a strategy to end poverty and disadvantage throughout this island.''

Meanwhile at a meeting of the Oireachtas Sub-Committee on Local Government Reform the Sinn Fein TD said own-resources fuding for local government is the essential reform required in local govbernment today. Deputy O Caoláin was responding to a presentation by the Assistant Secretary of the Department of Environment and Local Government John Cullen.

John Cullen outlined the new system of local government funding legislated for earlier this year. It consists of the proceeds of motor taxation and central government subvention.

Deputy O Caoláin responding reaffirmed the Sinn Féin view that any serious reform of local govt must address the issue of own-resources funding. ``We need a complete overhaul of the funding of local government, rather than the tinkering measures of times past now being revisited'' he said.

The Sinn Fein TD urged serious consideration of the merits of a local government income tax with a corresponding reduction in the central government share of the overall tax take. Deputy O Caoláin argued that more and more people felt distant from the decision-making process on public expenditure and would welcome greater local control and accountability over public monies.

``The opportunity to both appreciate and recognise their own essential imput into the provision of infrastructure and services within communities is the key to public acceptance of this fundamental change'' he said.

 

Objective One a priority - MacManus



Sinn Fein Sligo/Leitrim representative Sean MacManus has hit out at Fianna Fail politicians and the Irish Congress of Trade Unions who are attempting to deny the Western and Border counties Objective One status for future EU funding.

MacManus said, ``recent statements from some Fianna Fail TDs, including Minister of State Hugh Byrne, and the ICTU in opposition to the idea of regionalisation are a sad example of the short-sighted views of people who have for generations disregarded the under-development of the West and North midlands.

``Empty talk about setting up ``artificial regions'' and ``economic borders'' fail to recognise reality. That reality is that living standards in the proposed thirteen county area is well below 75% of the European average and indeed very much below the average enjoyed in the rest of the state.

``The current coalition need urgently to take the decision to regionalise and then take that plan to Europe so that maximum funding is obtained for the thirteen disadvantaged counties. To delay any longer or to give any credence to the whingers who would keep the West in perpetual poverty is not acceptable. Fair play is all that we are seeking, it's high time this region also reaped the benefits of the so-called Celtic Tiger economy''.


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