Minister ignores Rathkeale in Limerick visit – Collins
Published on: 17 January 2012
Environment Minister Phil Hogan has again turned down a request by the Rathkeale Community Council to visit the town and meet with them about the withdrawel of RAPID funding.
Deputy Niall Collins said: “I have raised this matter several times with Minister Hogan in Dáil Éireann and he has consistently ignored my requests. Shortly before Christmas, we witnessed a disgraceful situation where funding was awarded to Rathkeale under the RAPID scheme and subsequently withdrawn in the same week. This is unacceptable and has caused great distress in the community.
“I have formally written to the Minister on behalf of the Community Council inviting him to come to Rathkeale himself to meet all the organisations locally and to walk through the town and see first-hand why this funding is so necessary. The Community Council have also written directly to the Minister making similar requests, all of which have so far been denied by the Minister.
“Now we learn that Minister Hogan is coming to both Limerick County and City on Friday of this week and he has failed to include Rathkeale in his plans. This is a total snub to the people of Rathkeale and the very fine work being done by the Community Council. I am again calling on the Minister to reconsider and take seriously the issues being raised by one of the largest towns in County Limerick.
“We have seen recently Government Ministers apologising and admitting that they are getting things wrong. The same applies here. I have been in touch with Rathkeale Community Council and they are again very disappointed at the Ministers latest let down to their community.”