The Terra
Madre Slow Cook Festival organised, by amongst others Donal Lehane and Donald
Sutherland (not the actor), was looking to expand, develop and “Grow to the
next level”. I was CEO of Waterford Chamber of Commerce at the time and
remember this festival’s origins. I jumped at the chance to bring this
fledgling festival under our wing, help nurture it, allowing it to mature into
the festival we love and recognise today.
A suitable
committee was formed, with great support from Waterford Council. Harvest
Festival stretched almost the length of our waterfront quay. One kilometre of
food offerings, stalls, entertainment, educational classes, GIY conferences and
even a petting zoo. The very best of our region, the “Breadbasket” of Ireland.
It was a huge, roaring success, if you can recall and the finest in my opinion.
Bringing enormous numbers of people to Waterford City, looking to sample or
discover something new, to titillate their taste buds.
It is not
only the Harvest Festival that has been a “Last of the Summer Wine”
distraction. There were plenty of other events taking place, in and around our
county to entertain us.
There has
been a diversity of sporting achievements. Our magnificent young (youngish Mr
“Brick” Walsh) hurlers’ odyssey to Croke Park and of course Waterford FC
chasing promotion back to their rightful place in a Premier League. Lots of
charity fundraising events such as the Donal O’Connor Memorial Cycle, the De La
Salle GAA annual fundraiser, then last weekend I “Chased a Duck” all over
County Waterford!!!!!
We have
read more and more Census 2016 information telling us, here in Waterford, what
we already knew! Our unemployment is still proportionately far too high, when
compared to the national average. Third level uptake is ridiculously low. We
don’t use public transport and our disposable income is one of the lowest in
Ireland.
The
promised North Quay Strategic Development Zone project is still according to
our Council Executive, on stream. Waterford Council has now applied for the
€60-70,000,000 funding needed to kick-start this “Once-in-a-lifetime-opportunity!”
We are also reading through social media spinners, that this twin-development game
changer will bring untold opportunities to Waterford. There has even been talk
of a cable car type gondola, across the River Suir and up to the old hotel site
on the hill. Just how we will get adequate visitor numbers, to sustain such a development
economically, is yet to be teased out or convince a bank to lend a developer
the money!
All of the
above are just some of the headline grabbers, which have been a welcomed
distraction for our holidaying TDs. Whilst we have been “Enjoying ourselves”
the pressure to deliver some very key pieces of infrastructure, has
de-escalated.
Yes, we
were fittingly reminded of what we are missing, by our “Gentleman” hurling
manager. In Derek McGarth’s Monday homecoming speech, he talked about the City
and County’s urgent need for a catheterisation laboratory and a university. Our
Minister was within earshot, sharing the same stage with our successful
hurlers!
Governments
are skilled experts in constantly kicking cans down the road. Our missing catheterisation
laboratory was promised far too long ago and yet still no sign of its arrival.
I live within a stone’s throw of UHW, passing it every single day of the week.
I hope like so many others, one day soon I will see this now mythical unit,
appear in its grounds, opening its doors to reduce much needed patient waiting
lists.
The sense
of urgency for Waterford seems all but lost on our representatives. Surely
during their long summer recess, they should have been getting together? Formulating
a proactive, real-time plan, to loosen Exchequer pursue strings, before the
next budget.
Collectively,
we must ask them just what have they been doing, whilst away from the Dáil, to
ensure the delivery of the catheterisation laboratory?
It would
appear that our promised, part-time laboratory is not the only thing “Missing In
Action”, in Waterford.
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