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Coughlan tenure "was wasted"
24.03.10
A DONEGAL senator has
said Tanaiste Mary Coughlan's tenure as Enterprise
Minister was a "wasted opportunity" for her native
county.
Ms Coughlan was shifted from the Enterprise
portfolio during yesterday's Cabinet reshuffle.
Senator Pearse Doherty said a great opportunity had
been lost.
“The appointment of Mary Coughlan as Minister for
Enterprise, Trade and Employment was a dream ticket
for Donegal – a county which has always suffered
from high unemployment and marginalisation.
"Having a minister from our own county could have
picked us up and delivered much needed employment. |
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“However this was not
to be and indeed since Mary Coughlan took up office,
unemployment in Donegal has leapt from 10,577 in May
2008 to 21,255 in February 2010," said Senator
Doherty.
He said no new initiatives were put in place during
the good times while the only option now was
emigration.
“What we need now for Donegal is new ideas and new
solutions which involve putting together a plan to
create new jobs and retain existing ones.
"I urge the Government and new Minister for
Enterprise Batt O’Keeffe to stand up for Donegal and
to immediately implement a jobs strategy for the
county," added the Sinn Féin senator. |
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