We
here in Waterford, have learned the hard way. Thick, glossy, weighty documents,
never seem to translate into positive results for the principal players in said
publications. I recall when “Talk Talk” closed its doors out of the blue and
rather sharply, in September 2011. We had the usual flurry of activity from local
TDs and senior political portfolio Ministers. A publication was hurriedly put
together and launched, per Christmas, during the start of Winterval.
Ian
Noctor was DJ on WLR’s “Drive-Home” and was beaming a live programme, with the
outside broadcast unit, from the ice rink on The Quays. He interviewed me as
CEO of the Chamber, about the plan and what it would or would not do for
Waterford. I distinctly remember being markedly cautious in welcoming “The
Plan”. The devil was always going to be in the detail. Having witnessed firsthand,
the reluctance of Department Officials to support the recently redundant staff
members, I was unwilling to become too enthused. Ian questioned my rational,
but I stuck to my guns, stating that I hoped this plan did not become another
dusty door stop, in the offices of power in Dublin.
Sure
enough, this plan was rather quickly superseded by another publication. The
delivery of help and resurrection for Waterford’s economy, soon faded into the
annals of history.
Since
2011, I know that we have seen many a journal come and go. Each one promising
more and more for Waterford. It’s “Groundhog Day!” There is a glitzy press
launch, lots of RTE coverage, loads of newspaper’ headlines, with radio
interviews galore. Then “Boom!” reality strikes, a new story and memories fade.
Another crisis looms large and yet again a Government Department is busy
engaging with the printers.
I
have quite literally, run out of fingers, counting the numbers of publications
promising to be “THE ONE”. The one, which will once and for all, bring salvation
to Waterford’s troubles.
It’s
not just me thinking this way either. John Deasy has re-emerged from the Wesht,
like the creature from “The Black Lagoon”, to question the NDP’s content and
what it means for Waterford. There are no timelines. Our Middle Eastern International
Developer, is waiting in the wings. Do we have the time or the freedom to stall
them off for another 6, 9, 12 months? I think not! They will simply move on to
the next potential lucrative or speculative opportunity. Time is of the essence
for such large conglomerates, as their return on investments, which needs
specific deadlines.
I
once met the Department of Finance’s main man, in the middle of the banking
crisis. At the time when banks were NOT lending to businesses and the
availability of any sort of credit, was as rare as hen’s teeth. There was a
proposal to put in place a review of bank practices. This would take 9 to 12
months!!!! I asked about the urgency of the situation? Stating that some
businesses, in Waterford, were in such financial turmoil with their banks, that
they might not be here next week, let alone in 9 or 12 months time. This fell
on deaf ears. These Departments, which run our lives, work in months and years,
rather than minutes and hours.
So,
let us guardedly and cautiously welcome the attention we get from Government
publications. We must however ensure we are delivered our fair share of the
pie. This is the responsibility of our elected representatives. The very
people, who stand for us in the Dail, must ensure that Waterford is at the
forefront of everyone’s mind when it comes to financial exchequer help.
Unfortunately, our track record on this is also, well let’s just be polite and
say not so great.
Maybe
the light at the end of the tunnel is still too dim?
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