Parish Pump Politics - the Triple P disease!

THE Triple P disease, 'Parish Pump Politics', needs to be put to bed when it comes to Ireland 2040, a local councillor has told a meeting in Athlone.

The comment was made by Fine Gael Councillor John Dolan, who was speaking about Ireland 2040 – Our Plan, which was launched by the government in February.
He said it focuses on a number of cities around the country but there is a gap in the middle, the midlands.

Cllr Dolan was speaking at a meeting of the Economic, Enterprise and Tourism Strategic Policy Committee (SPC) in Athlone.
The plan, which is aimed at rebuilding Ireland between now and 2040, has a number of key priorities including ensuring that more than 500,000 additional people are in employment and also rebuilding community and commercial life in cities and towns and protecting rural communities.
Cllr Dolan said the plan tends to focus on a number of cities around the country including Galway, Limerick, Cork and Waterford.
“There is a gap in the middle that's huge and unfortunately we are in that gap.

“The triple P disease, 'Parish Pump Politics', has to be put to bed on this one,” he told the meeting, adding that everyone needs to work together to ensure the midlands as a region benefits.
“We have to work for the region rather than think of our own little patch. We need to try and tie this in as a region. We are a small cog in this,” said Cllr Dolan.
“We have a dual carriageway but that goes two ways. Why not have people coming in this direction?”
He said it may well be portrayed as Athlone for city status, but it is not about Athlone, he added. “It's about the region,” said Cllr Dolan.
“Everybody should be pushing in the one direction.”

The public's views on the plan are sought, before March 16. The submissions will be taken on board in preparing a draft copy of the plan and a final version is expected to be submitted to government in the autumn. Destination Athlone's industry group is preparing a submission, as is Westmeath County Council.