Environmental group
express tourism fears
by Simon McGeady, Inishowen
Independent
MEMBERS of the Inishowen Environmental Group have
expressed fears that tourism in the peninsula will
be severely hit next year as a result of yesterday’s
confirmed job losses in Donegal County Council.
County Manager Michael McLoone confirmed to council
members yesterday afternoon that 238 council workers
will lose their jobs when their contracts with the
council are not renewed over the next few months.
Office staff based at the Carndonagh Public Service
Centre, including those working in the Planning,
Environment and Motor Tax departments are believed
to be among those notified that their contracts will
not be renewed. One Buncrana-based council worker
confirmed that he would be losing his job. And there
are now fears that front line staff such as litter
wardens may lose their jobs and that could lead to
an increase in illegal dumping in rural areas in
Inishowen and the possible loss of blue flag
beaches.
It’s understood that the two council employees
responsible for cleaning up and maintaining
Inishowen’s beaches will be let go at the end of the
year.
Speaking to the Inishowen Independent yesterday,
Mary McCallion of the Inishowen Environmental Group
said she feared that Inishowen’s litter warden would
not survive the current cull. “We fear that
Inishowen is one of the areas that will lose a
Litter Warden due to the staff cut backs in Donegal
County Council. This is bad news for Inishowen and
could have a devastating effect on local tourism. We
in the Inishowen Environmental Group have serious
concerns about these job losses.” She added: “With
the loss of our litter warden, the Carndonagh
re-cycling facility working at less capacity and the
downturn in our economy, you don't need to be a
Sherlock Holmes to work out what some people will do
with their waste.” Meanwhile fears have also been
expressed locally that a laying-off of staff
responsible for salting the roads in time of snow
and ice could have a serious impact on road safety
in the peninsula this winter. |
