OCTOBER 2006

Making Inishowen 'aware'

Local politicians have commended the Inishowen Community for a Clean Estuary Group for their approach in compiling a brochure detailing their fight against the siting of a sewerage treatment plant close to their homes in Carnagarve. The brochure entitled 'Are you Aware', was launched at the GAA Clubhouse at Carnagarve with attendance from the local community and a number of politicians.

Spokesperson for the group, Enda Craig, said the evening had been a huge success but said he was disappointed with the lack of attendance by some local politicians. He said "It is regretted that our locally elected representatives, who were invited, failed to attend". The elected representatives in attendance voiced their support and wished the campaign well and to continue the good work. "This information brochure is simply an attempt to inform the wider community of all the many varied issues involved and to highlight the serious injustice being inflicted on this community,"

The brochures are being distributed on a door to door basis by the residents of Carnagarve, Ballynally and Ballybrack in an attempt to undo the misconceptions that have grown up around this project.

Sinn Fein Councillor Padraig MacLochlainn praised the groups efforts and said local politicians should feel embarrassed by their lack of support for the group. He said, "Friday's event was highly successful and was above all else heartening for CFCE who have been abandoned by their elected representatives. "The political support from an Oireachtas member is a particular breakthrough." Colr. MacLochlainn called for a change in the site selection process to avoid situations like this happening in the future. He said "Site selection for plants such as the controversial Carnagarve one must be collected in the full glare of the public with all decisions made in public as to why a given site has been chosen. The present process has lost all credibility. "The wider community has to be briefed and it will be highly embarrassing for elected representatives in the area when they see this comprehensive brochure being distributed by the CFCE group.

Fine Gael Senator Joe McHugh also praised the efforts of the group and said he was happy to attend the launch of the brochure. Sen. McHugh said, The evening was a great opportunity for local people to gain a good historical perspective on the Carnagarve issue. The presentation certainly highlighted a flawed process."

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