Tanaiste stresses importance of competitiveness at Carrick meeting
At last Friday's annual, joint meeting of the Border, Midland and Western and the Southern and Eastern Regional Assembly, in the Bush Hotel, Carrick-on-Shannon, Tanaiste Mary Coughlan responded to criticism levelled at her and the Government by declaring "it is obvious there are a lot of people in this room don't realise how bad things are."
Outlining what she perceives to be key measures that need to be taken in order to reinvigorate the economy, the Tanaiste emphasised the importance of competitiveness.
“Competitiveness is a clear goal that we have to achieve in this country if we are to remain economically viable. How we are going to do that is going to be very difficult but we have the capacity to do it.
“Competitiveness means reducing the cost base. People in the public sector feel that they have had to cough more than others in the private sector. Everyone is going to have to take a little less.”
One key way to increase competitiveness according to the Tanaiste is to reduce local authority charges.
“You’ll not want to hear it because there is an election in June but we have to cut our local authority charges. I know how hard that it is.
“The problem is, I have companies saying to me the cost of the grant is equal to the cost to the council. Expecting companies to take a little less will have to be reflected in local authorities. A little bit of pain will hopefully be reflected with gain.”
Having addressed the joint meeting of the assemblies, the floor was opened for questions and the Tanaiste was faced with frustrated members regarding her suggestion for local authorities to cut costs. She was also asked about the future of various projects around the country.
Addressing the subject of the future of the Western Rail Corridor, the Tanaiste said “I can’t give that commitment. I’m not against it, I’m married to a Mayo man so I know the score.
“The harsh realities,” the Tanaiste continued “are lovely projects, good projects and things that are very important are going to have to be put on hold until such time as we have a financial situation and the where withal to pay the people who work in this country, to provide the services and that’s the harsh reality of it. That’s not to take away from all of the issues and all of the projects that are important to each and every one of us locally.”
Replying to a delegate from Dublin City Council who said “it is a little rich to ask for solidarity when you haven’t shown it to us,” the Tanaiste said, “we need to reduce local Government charges by 20%.
“The problem is when it comes to financing local government, difficult decisions have to be made and people are not prepared to step up to the mark because it is not politically expedient to do it.”
The annual joint meeting of the assemblies which was held for the first time in Leitrim, was welcomed to Carrick-on-Shannon by BMW Assembly member, Cllr Tony Ferguson after Cllr Tom Crosby, Chairman of BMW Regional Assembly addressed the meeting.
Cllr Crosby spoke of the “very different economic situation from that which prevailed just one year ago,” and called on Tanaiste Mary Coughlan to “develop competitive and innovative regions.”
Cllr Crosby added “the foundations of our future competitiveness and employment creation are to be found in maximising the contribution of all regions to national output.
Referring to figures for 2008 published by Failte Ireland which indicate the first decline in overseas visitors in the past seven years, Cllr Crosby said “it is important the government in partnership with Failte Ireland and Tourism Ireland act to regain the competitiveness of our tourism industry while ensuring a more even spread of overseas visitors throughout the country.”
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Weather for Carrick-on-Shannon, Ireland
Tuesday 22 May 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 11 C to 20 C
Wind Speed: 14 mph
Wind direction: South
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: 9 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 13 mph
Wind direction: South
