Achill councillor tells a few home truths

by Auld Stock

Councillor Paul McNamara was certainly firing on all cylinders when he spoke at the annual general meeting of the Belmullet/Westport Municipal District.

He castigated successive governments for their total neglect of the people of Achill.

Councillor McNamara pointed out that Achill had a thriving fishing industry in the past and a co-operative group that employed a number of people.

Those advantages have been lost to the people of Achill despite fishing continuing to be a major industry in the southern part of the country.

On a similar note, Achill lost three national schools in recent years because of the fall in population.

It was time someone spoke out forcefully on behalf of the people of Achill and Councillor McNamara focused on the needs of the people of the island with courage and conviction.

Many of our major politicians have kept their mouths shut and we rarely hear them speak about the serious problems affecting the island.

Councillor McNamara’s statement that ministers are spending huge sums of money on protecting wildlife in places like Achill, the Burren and other parts of the country, whilst neglecting the needs of local people, will ring a bell with many people across our country.

The preservation of wildlife is important. However, the preservation and wellbeing of people living in rural Ireland is far more important.

The people of Achill, who have played major roles in the development of our country on many fronts, deserve the same treatment as people in large urban centres of population.

Councillor McNamara has spoken the truth and his words deserve to be carefully listened to.

It is time the people of Achill, one of the most beautiful places in Ireland, were given a fair deal by our legislators.

The sooner the better.