2 September 2004 Edition

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Ó Caoláin questions real value of Spatial Strategy

Commenting on the documents released under the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act regarding the 26-County Government's National Spatial Strategy, Sinn Féin Dáil leader Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin said it "raised fundamental questions about the way the strategy was drawn up and about its real value".

The Cavan/Monaghan TD said he found the argument used by Fianna Fáil Deputy Brendan Smith in a memo revealed under FOI to be "quite extraordinary". Ó Caoláin said:

"Deputy Smith lobbied the Taoiseach's office with the contention that to designate Monaghan alone as a 'hub' town and not to designate Cavan 'would seem to be rewarding' Monaghan and the Sinn Féin vote 'whereas Cavan had managed to keep it at bay'. I find that extraordinary. Deputy Smith well knows that no one has been more vocal than this TD and the party I represent, Sinn Féin, in promoting the interests of the people of both Counties Cavan and Monaghan. We applauded the efforts of those in County Cavan, including the late County Manager Brian Johnson, who lobbied to ensure that the importance of Cavan town was recognised in the National Spatial Strategy.

"It was right that both Cavan and Monaghan were designated hub towns in the Strategy as finally published.

"These revelations raise interesting questions. Has Deputy Smith made similar representations attempting to show County Monaghan in a negative light because of the democratic electoral choice of the people?

"More importantly they raise a question mark over the value of the National Spatial Strategy itself. I stated at the time of its publication that it would be meaningless unless it was followed by real development including inward investment, practical support for local enterprise and community-based employment, more third level educational opportunities in both Counties and improved infrastructure in health, education and public transport. In all of these areas we have been disappointed by the Fianna Fáil/PD Government. The debacle over decentralisation has shown that they are motivated by political expediency for the benefit of Fianna Fáil and the PDs rather than proper planning based on the real needs of communities."


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