Senator Padraig MacLochlainn has spoken out about the lack of infrastructure in the North West, saying that “this is down to years of scandalous neglect.”
Speaking in the Seanad yesterday, the Inishowen Senator says that “a huge gap” can be clearly seen in the North West when looking at a map of Ireland’s road and rail structures.
He highlighted that there is no railway link, motorway link, or airlink connecting the capital city to Ireland’s fourth largest city, Derry. He says that despite a population of half a million people living in Donegal, Derry and Tyrone, infrastructure is still severely lacking.
Speaking ahead of the publication of the Government’s National Development Plan which will outline the planned allocation of €100 billion over the next two decades, the Senator said that this must include the North West City Region.
“That neglect has impacted on the entire region… it’s absolutely critical that we get this right, we’re talking about the next 20 years of investment.”
“When the draft National Framework Plan was published it caused huge alarm, and shock really in Donegal, Derry and Tyrone,” he added.
“Here in Donegal, the days of the forgotten county must end!”
The Sinn Féin Senator is asking the government to listen to the appeal made by Donegal County Council and Derry City and Strabane District Council, and to consider the delivery of certain infrastructure such as the N13, N14, and N15 road projects; linking Derry, Donegal and Tyrone to Dublin with a motorway; and improving the broadband and electricity infrastructure.
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