The Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, has turned down a request from the Western Development Commission (WDC) for funds for infrastructural development in seven western counties.
The commission has said it is "very disappointed" at the decision, which came in a meeting with Mr Ahern in Government Buildings earlier this week. In a statement after the meeting, the Taoiseach said that the Government was "very committed to better regional balance", and commitments made under the National Development Plan were 70 per cent higher than asked for by the WDC when the plan was being prepared.
However, Mr Sean Tighe, chairman of the commission, yesterday described this claim as inaccurate when applied to the seven western counties which his organisation represents. Clearly shaken by the Taoiseach's response, he said he was personally very disappointed and surprised, given the level of anger that had built up in the region over the growing divide between east and west.
It is understood that the WDC board had proposed an extra subvention of €800 million from Government, in addition to NDP commitments, which could help to redress the infrastructural deficit. "We've given it our best shot," Mr Tighe said, speaking after the final meeting in Donegal of this WDC board.
"A lot of people have worked very hard - some for five years, some for three - and we had hoped for something more." A new board is due to be appointed shortly by the Government.
The former Council for the West chairwoman, Ms Marian Harkin, who will be standing as an independent candidate in Sligo-Leitrim in the general election, said she was extremely disappointed.
Over 10 years since the Developing the West initiative by the western bishops, there had been no real measurable progress in bridging the gap between west and the rest of the country, she said. Over six months after the report on this gap by the Western Development Commission, none of the recommendations had been acceded to.
"The Clar programme announced by the Minister of State, Mr Ó Cuív, has been the Government's only response, and this is not enough to address the big picture," Ms Harkin said. "As a minor rural development programme, it is fine, but it is not enough at macro level."
The Minister of State for Rural Development, Mr Eamon Ó Cuív, also attended the 1½-hour meeting, along with Dr Martin Mansergh and the Taoiseach's assistant secretary, Ms Mary Doyle.
The WDC board, headed by Mr Tighe, was also accompanied by the new chief executive, Ms Lisa McAllister, and Dr Patricia O'Hara. In his statement, issued with Mr Ó Cuiv, the Taoiseach said that had outlined the steps being taken under the NDP in the west.
Referring to three roads given priority status by the WDC - the N5, N16 and N61 - the statement said that planning was "continuing apace" on two of these routes, the N5 and N16.
The Taoiseach said that a strategic review of rail services, both existing and potential, was planned, and the western rail corridor would form part of this study.
Mr Ahern said he was fully committed to the regional development of telecommunications infrastructure, and he reiterated his commitment to decentralisation. He said that he expected to see substantial progress on decentralisation by the end of the year.
Other issues raised would be "examined as favourably and quickly as possible by the relevant departments", and the responses would be co-ordinated by Mr Ó Cuív.
