21 February 2002 Edition

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Mitchel McLaughlin focuses on health in Galway

Sinn Féin National Chairperson Mitchel McLaughlin was in Galway on Thursday and Friday last as part of a nationwide tour. The Foyle Assembly member spoke at a function in the Letterfrack area in Connemara on Valentine's night, where he told party activists that Sinn Féin would make major breakthroughs in the forthcoming general election. Seán acCoistealbha and Daniel Callanan, the two Galway West candidates, were congratulated on their hard work in ensuring that orthodontic health care would be secured for the Connemara region.

McLaughlin spoke at two press conferences the following morning in Connemara and Galway City, where said Sinn Féin's health strategy is the only viable solution to ending the present apartheid system in health care.

McLaughlin also addressed a private members meeting in Galway University, where he urged party activists to actively go out and ensure that "everybody you meet will vote for Sinn Féin in the forthcoming general election". He also met with the Corrach Buí outreach programme, which empowers young people and gives them a voice in the community.


McLaughlin welcomes North West gas announcement



Foyle Assembly member Mitchel Mc Laughlin has welcomed the issuing of a licence to Bord Gáis Éireann to construct a pipeline that will bring gas to Derry.

"The provision of gas will give a tremendous boost to the North West

economy. It will assist in attracting future inward investment by reducing operating costs and giving end users a choice of energy," the Sinn Féin represenative said. "It will not only provide hundreds of jobs during the construction phase but also full time employment for those required to operate a new gas fired power station at Coolkeeragh.

"I have long called for increased investment in the North West infrastructure and have lobbied Dublin, London and Belfast ministers for the extension of gas provision to the North West Region as a spur to attract other investment. This announcement is therefore most welcome.

"This project also demonstrates the benefits of all-Ireland planning and cooperation and signifies a further step towards creating an islandwide gas grid."

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