FF invited to witness effects of cut-backs

Monday October 06, 2003 12:55

by Ailín

Delegates to the Fianna Fáil Ard Fheis are being invited to a small village in North Kerry to see first hand the effects of cutbacks in social employment schemes, the local branch of Republican Sinn Féin said today.

RSF spokesman John O'Shea from Ballylongford said that the delegates from all over Ireland gathering in Killarney will see only one side of Kerry while the reality is far different.

"The delegates to the Ard Fheis will be in one of the most developed towns in Kerry with hotels and bars geared for the tourist trade," said Mr. O'Shea. "But the reality of economic life in the rural parts of North Kerry is far removed from plush hotels and packed lounge bars.

"We in Ballylongford are suffering the plight of many rural communities where services and facilities are being reduced or abolished - and there is now a grave threat to the future of village life.

"In the past the village has lost most of its major industries- and even the bank has moved to Listowel - and there is no full time doctor. In addition the community employment cut backs introduced by Mary Harney and the Progressive Democrats hits at the very fabric of rural support in that many social schemes depend on such funding.

"Instead of fighting about smoking fags in public houses, the delegates to the Fianna Féil Ard Fheis are hereby invited to visit Ballylongford where I will show them how current policies are having a detrimental effect on rural life."

John O'Shea, Kerry Republican Sinn Féin