As government formation talks continue a Donegal County Councillor has shared what he says are his constituents’ concerns regarding the makeup of the new government.
Independent Cllr Micheál Choilm Mac Giolla Easbuig says some people in West Donegal have raised concerns regarding the suitability of Independent TD Michael Lowry, who is leading the negotiations on behalf of The Regional Independents Group.
“With the 26 counties election concluded, the conversation now focuses on when the new government in Baile Atha Cliath will be formed and which independents will help to form this new conservative government,” he said.
“Another question I hear people within my constituency ask is, what is the view of the newly elected Fianna Fáil TDs Charlie McConalogue and Pat ‘the Cope’ Gallagher on forming an alliance with Michael Lowry TD, who was found guilty of tax offences and disqualified from acting as a company director for three years?”
Cllr Mac Giolla Easbuig’s comments also follow confirmation from the gardaí that a file has been sent to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions following on from a long-running garda investigation into the findings of the Moriarty Tribunal.
The tribunal investigated the awarding of the State’s second mobile phone licence to businessman Denis O’Brien while Mr Lowry was communications minister.
Mr Lowry was found by the Tribunal to have imparted information to Mr O’Brien which helped him secure the licence.
The independent Cllr said this is a very important question that needs to be addressed publicly by Deputy McConalogue and Deputy Gallagher.
“Our community has been devastated with the emigration of our youth, the middle aged members of our community heading to foreign countries, high unemployment, a low wage base, defective blocks in 1000s of peoples’ homes, our fishing industry torn apart, hardly any infrastructure investment or investment in our mental health system,” Cllr Mac Giolla Easbuig said.
“It is impossible for most people to even consider buying or building a home, never mind talking about the overpriced cost of monthly rental and so many more challenges facing our community because of concessive government policies.
“Working class people within our county had hopes and aspirations for a new alternative Government. One that would bring change economically and socially to our community. A community that has been neglected deliberately and forgotten since the foundation of the state.
“For these reasons, along with many more, the elected Fianna Fáil TDs must make their position known publicly,” Cllr Mac Giolla Easbuig concluded.
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