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MEP 'Committed' to Clones
29/02/2008
FINE Gael MEP for the North West, Jim Higgins, offered his commitment and support to Clones Town and its residents during a visit to the Cassandra Hand Centre on Friday last, 23 February.
Josephine Treanor of Clones Community Forum explained that the community sector in Clones faces a very uncertain future due to funding shortages. Josephine and Angela Graham of the Forum and Ann Marie Fryers of CEEP will lose their jobs when their contracts finish on 30 June and 30 March respectively. “In our eight years we have brought in €9-10 million to this town but that work is all threatened now,” said Josephine.
Ann Marie Fryers said the loss of expertise due to funding shortfalls didn’t make sense especially with huge projects such as the €7 million Sports Complex and the reopening of the Ulster Canal pending.
Volunteer Kathleen Cassidy described the staff as the glue that holds the voluntary staff together. “This is a serious blow. We are really frightened with this big Sport Complex project coming up and no staff.”
Ann Marie Fryers said the loss of expertise due to funding shortfalls didn’t make sense especially with huge projects such as the €7 million Sports Complex and the reopening of the Ulster Canal pending.
Mr Higgins recognised the hard work and contribution by such local groups who can deliver a more effective service than state bodies in his experience. “I certainly will do all I can. We will work on a three-pronged approach with Clones Town Council, Monaghan County Council and on a National level. I don’t think there is a problem at EU level, it’s at national level and how this funding is administered that needs to change.”
He also asked the community representatives to email him with a brief outline of their funding problems and he would get working on it right away. Mr Higgins also told those present that he has been working closely with Waterways Ireland. “I’m very enthusiastic about the Ulster Canal, its potential is huge.”
Local turkey growers also met with the MEP to raise their campaign for Country of Origin labelling in the wake of the Grove Turkeys jobs blow. Mr Higgins assured these growers that he and his colleague Mairead McGuinness would raise this issue at EU level.
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