Planning on N56 could be a bone of contention during Eamon Ryan visit

Local councillors are set to seize the opportunity to discuss issues with Minister Eamon Ryan during his visit to County House this Friday afternoon. 

The Cathaoirleach of the Glenties Municipal District, Councillor Michael McClafferty says hopes to invite the minister to visit west Donegal and make him aware of the issues the people of the county face on a daily basis. 

Councillor McClafferty says one of the main issues he will raise is the prohibiting of planning along the N56 which has been a bone of contention for many years. 

Welcoming the minister's visit, Cllr McClafferty said: "I will offer him a tour of west Donegal and explain to him why Donegal is exceptionally different from Dublin. Life is tough in Donegal, it’s hard. There is little employment for most which forces many people to leave their homes to seek work in other countries.

The independent councillor said that he hopes to discuss planning along the N56 with minister and explain why allowing people to build along the route is vital to people in the area: "This is our own land, our ancestors worked this land before us dug out stones with their bare hands to make fields to survive. We need access onto the N56, it’s time Dublin stopped telling us what to do in Donegal."

The Falcarragh-based politician also hopes to discuss the issue with turf burning with the minister and explain why burning turf is an essential way-of-life in Donegal.