To
have to listen to a senior stakeholder, from Kilkenny Chamber, stating that the
development of the North Quay would be detrimental to Kilkenny, is maddening.
However, not surprising, if the truth be told. Given his parochial reasoning,
that it would be detrimental to Kilkenny, if it should go ahead. This from a
business body that not so many years ago, went through its own internal enquiry.
Looking into some, well let me say, abacus financial accountability. How can a
lobby group, created to “Advance business together” and be “In business for
business”, have such a myopic vision of where future regional development lies?
This
“Cats Chamber”, is at odds with their neighbours in Waterford. Like so many
rational, logical groups, who advocate the North Quays development, as the
start of some significant regional expansion. In fact, the Government’s 2040
National Planning Framework, puts Waterford to the fore of this
regionalisation, forecasting significant population growth. Will these vested
parish pump politics get in the way of a vision, to once and for all create
genuine regional balance? Of course they will.
Looking
back at the judge’s post-report of the “Three Sisters” bid, you’ll remember
that Galway was awarded the honour. They happened to have a festival on, when
the judges were visiting and the City also beamed the final judging “Live”. Now
there’s a City that knows just how to tick the right boxes.
Yet
we had three equally big hitters, supposedly working together? This should have
blown Galway’s bid to “Kingdom Come”. Combining the strength and talent of
Waterford, Kilkenny and Wexford, should have been a no brainer. These three
South East giants could have fashioned a one of a kind offering. The judges
would have had no option, but to give the award to the “Three Sisters”. This
didn’t happen. It may well have been attributed to their concerns, as to
whether these regions, had the propensity to work together, for the greater
good. Something Galway would have pointed out!
There
are so many other examples of the lack of cooperation with the neighbours.
They’re only really interested in “Self”.
The
proposed expansion of the City boundary, to the North of the River Suir was
scuppered. Despite apparent Government Ministerial approval. The outcry from
Kilkenny’s political representatives, ensured that the rubber stamp would not
take the ink. The Port of Waterford is in the eyes of others, The Port of
Kilkenny and they are not frightened to shout about this either.
Kilkenny,
as a five seat constituency, guarantees that the main political parties have
more to lose if they don’t get their agenda just right. There is a very real
possibility, that this constituency will return three FF or FG TDs at the next
election. What with Waterford’s political representation not being able to
compete and probably returning only one from FF, FG, SF and a Green or
Independent, is it any wonder that the corridors of power, purr to the calls of
the cats?
When
“Big Phil” departed for Brussels, he left a very large void. That space is now
being filled post haste. Waterford’s last significant Minister, departed many
moons ago and we are still staring at the gigantic chasm he left.
There
will be NO regional development, if we don’t get moving with Waterford’s
agenda. Do we need to cosy up to those negative thinkers? Well no, but we do
need to make sure that we can work with them. Persuading them that for the
region to flourish, Waterford has to retain her beating heart.
After
all, where do the huge percentage of the employees working in IDA businesses
coming from? Also, what of the employees, attracted to working for the larger Waterford
based service companies? Yes, they come from across the SE region. Including
Kilkenny.
Without
Waterford’s employment opportunities, the whole region would fail. Yet
recognising and admitting this, seems to be the BIG elephant in the room.
In
the meantime, we need to clip these covetous claws at every opportunity.
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