Neglected town gives plan wary welcome

JOE HERON is a little sceptical about his town of Monaghan being named as a priority area for development under the spatial strategy.

The Monaghan Chamber of Commerce executive director said there is a deep seated feeling among people in the town that they have been ignored by Government, not least because of the town and county’s historic lack of ministers to fight their corner around the Cabinet table.

For example, letters are regularly written to Government on decentralisation, the policy of moving agencies from Dublin to outlying regions. Given its location and history of food production, locating a cross-border food agency in the area seemed a good idea.

Mr Heron said: “We made our submission two years ago and it seemed at the time that a cross-border body based here made a lot of sense. Unfortunately, they gave it to Cork, that famous cross-border town.”

Sceptical Mr Heron may be, but he is glad Monaghan is at last being recognised and he recognises it represents a major policy change on the part of Government.

Civic leaders will, at the very least, have a powerful argument when it comes to lobbying for the development of infrastructure, decentralisation of Government agencies and the introduction of broadband technology to the area.

“It’s refreshing that we have been chosen but they have to follow through,” said Mr Heron.

Monaghan and its neighbouring hub Cavan must not be seen as being on the periphery of the 26 counties but at the centre of 32, he said. They, along with Enniskillen and Armagh city, constitute the real hub at the centre of the island.

“There has to be a cross-border approach,” Mr Heron said.

But in Monaghan they still fear their political isolation will persist and work against them.

“I’m glad Monaghan was named but for it to be effective it has to be something that is delivered on and that will make a change in the political culture in Ireland,” said Mr Heron.