Madam, - The Progressive Democrats have finally shown an interest in Donegal. The party has decided to contest the local elections.
This comes as a surprise, as Ms Harney, the party leader, has shown no interest in our county in relation to job creation/replacement.
From September 1998 to April 2004 Donegal has lost 4,584 jobs from Carndonagh to Bundoran and Lifford to Gweedore and she has never lifted a finger to help Donegal. In fact you get the impression that she totally ignored us. If we now elect a couple of PD councillors will she ensure that the jobs come flooding in?
This lack of interest in job creation or investment in Donegal would appear to be infectious within the Government. Mr Pat the Cope Gallagher has failed to attract investment to Donegal either in his present capacity as Junior Minister or as an MEP.
Compare him with our neighbour, Mr John Hume in Derry. John Hume was so successful in lobbying for investment and jobs to the Derry area that he incurred the wrath and envy of unionist politicians in the North.
Jimmy McDaid was unable to influence his colleagues in Government either as a senior minister or junior minister to promote our county on the jobs front. If he is elected to the European Parliament is he hoping to meet a fairy godmother in Brussels who will wave a magic wand and create 9,662 (April 2004 live register) jobs for the total unemployed in Donegal at present?
Mary Coughlan, Minister for Social Welfare, recently announced that employment exchanges/dole offices would have opening hours extended to cater for Social Welfare recipients - a definite shot in the arm for the unemployed. - Yours, etc.,
JOE HARVEY,
Thorndale,
Letterkenny,
Co Donegal.