Economy

Ireland is currently in a very difficult economic situation. We have been extremely fortunate that we are members of the European Union and have benefited from the stability which this has brought us.

The European Union plays a key role in regulating financial institutions at international level and has already announced a major review of hedge fund, banking and other financial vehicles in the EU with a view to increasing regulation.

Throughout this term of office I hope to help stimulate growth in my constituency:

• I will push for more EU funding to be directed towards retraining and up skilling of Ireland's unemployed.
  
  
• I will push for the EU to increase funding to allow us overcome infrastructure problems in the constituency and thus create employment for those in the construction sector that are unsuitable for retraining in other sectors
  
  
• I will push for the ESB to take on workers from the construction sector and retrain them in the areas of renewable energy production and construction so that they can work in the private sector, the workers would be part paid by ESB and part paid by the Government.
  
  
• I will ask the EU to fund the provision of public transport in rural regions directly so that we can create a fully integrated rural transport system one that is reliable and modern. This would create jobs for drivers, mechanics and office administration staff.
  
  
• I will push for the Government to build rail in Donegal to finally make the county an open and accessible area and finally allow it to market itself fully to business and tourism.
  
  
• I will push for the EU to provide a specific pillar of support for tourism projects and development such as the opening our of interpretive centres at key tourism facilities and at heritage sites so as to boost tourism in the region providing business for coach tour operators, B&Bs, restaurants and hotels and others.