Sinn Féin Councillor Jack Murray has been elected Cathaoirleach (Mayor) of Inishowen at the peninsula’s municipal district AGM on Tuesday.
His party colleague, Albert Doherty, was also elected as Leas-Cathaoirleach (Deputy Mayor).
Speaking after his election, Cllr Murray said: “I am very honoured to have been elected as Cathaoirleach of the Inishowen Municipal District and I look forward, along with my colleague, Cllr Albert Doherty, to a busy year ahead.
“I want to bring the mayoral role into every community in the peninsula and engage with schools and community groups in every corner of Inishowen to listen to the concerns of our people and work on their behalf.
“This is a very challenging time for Inishowen. The uncertainty of Brexit looms over our border community so it is vital that we brace ourselves and take every measure possible to lessen its impact.
“The government has indicated that it will prioritise resources to regions most affected by Brexit. Inishowen must be top of the list in that regard and I intend to put forward our case at every opportunity.
“Albert Doherty as chairman of the North West Regional Cross Border Group is working along with the CEOs of both councils in this area to harmonise and ensure cohesion between all agencies here. I intend to work hand in hand with that strategy.
“Along with all councillors in Inishowen I will fight for the families in the peninsula dealing with the nightmare of defective blocks. Those families deserve a redress scheme and I will use this office bring that message to the government.
“Personally, I am very driven to work to promote Grianan of Aileach as the major tourist attraction, not only Inishowen, but in the entire northwest of Ireland. In my view, it is a hidden gem in this region and with the right political will, we can make sure that it is known across Ireland and further afield.
“Inishowen needs to develop a sustainable tourism product to create jobs for future generations and end the plight of emigration. We also need to roll out broadband in our rural communities and connect the only industrial estate in the peninsula, Lisfannon, onto the fibre optic broadband network.
“I want to progress the three school campus for Buncrana, speed up the development of the Leisure Centre and work to deliver the Aghilly Road upgrade. I will also do everything I can to make sure the new Cockhill Bridge is finished on time.
“I will constantly lobby Irish Water to invest in the south Inishowen water supply to prevent further bursts and water outages which affect thousands of our people.
“Our maritime communities are vital in Inishowen so I intend to voice the need to invest in Greencastle harbour and Leenan pier.
“I also want to ensure that both the Foyle and Swilly ferries run well into the future but that they no longer become a drain on the local Development Fund Initiative. They must be funded from a transport budget so that community groups in this peninsula have the same access to funding as other organisations in the county.”
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