Lifford-Stranorlar MD being 'left behind in Shared Island project handouts

Lifford-Stranorlar Municipal District is being left out of Shared Island initiatives even though it had more in common with cross-border communities than other parts of Donegal.

That was the unequivocal message relayed to officials at Monday's meeting of the municipal district by outgoing cathaoirleach, Cllr Patrick McGowan.

He said he wasn't impressed by Donegal County Council's attempts to involve their area in this initiative to date.

Director of economic development, emergency services and information systems, Garry Martin outlined how the Shared Island programme, which is a funding programme administered through the Taoiseach's department provides a range of investments and supports to develop the whole principle of a shared island and a shared future, north and south.

He said their most recent work involved developing a number of proposals enabling feasibility studies across a range of areas so they could identify potential and prospective applications. He added some of these including the ATU in Letterkenny and Ulster University on a number of potential shared investments.

He added it also offered Donegal opportunities to put forward investment proposals that might not otherwise have funding sources, some in conjunction with Derry City and Strabane District Council and Fermanagh and Omagh District Council. He also said it was aimed at strengthening the tourist product and activity within their MD.

Council official, Deirdre Harte outlined details on what the council's economic development unit was involved in including the Slí Cholmcille Project, a proposed 250 km pilgrimage route linking key Colmcille-related sites across Donegal and Derry; North West RegTech Initiative, a proposal to develop an all-island national institute in Regulatory Technology in the North West; Innovation Plaza to develop cross-border innovation campuses in Ballyshannon and Irvinestown and Regenerative Tourism involving engagement with the region’s place, past and people, seeking to attract high-yield environmentally conscious visitors.

She added Slí Cholmcille was the only project that went through the Lifford-Stra\norlar MD at Raphoe while part of small animation pilots associated with it also touched on Castlefin, Lifford and Strabane. All projects were hoped to be completed by September.

Cllr Patrick McGowan said he was hoping there would be 'more meat on the bones' of the presentation for their MD, one of the reasons they asked for this presentation.

"I know the Slí Cholmcille Project comes into Raphoe and goes out at St Johnston but it's just skimming our area. I see projects mentioning Letterkenny, Derry and Ballyshannon but I was hoping for something that would be based here because all too often we're just left behind. We have the biggest land border with Northern Ireland, from Barnesmore Gap to the Foyle but it's hard to see where we become involved in all this cross-border stuff."

He added he always felt it was just tokenism including their MD in such projects and he wanted to see a lot more. He requested updates on how they were being included.

"Everything doesn't have to be organised through Letterkenny and Derry. We are a border area with a lot of towns so we would like to benefit from any cross-border initiatives. I think tourism offers plenty of opportunities for this. I'm not impressed by this so far. I want this on our agenda for the next meeting to see exactly what is being proposed for this area."

Mr Martin said he could see where the councillor was coming from adding he would love to see proposals or opportunities identified to them.

"We are open to listening to any areas of recommended collaboration that haven't already surfaced," he added.