TASK FORCE SET UP TO LOBBY GOVERNMENT ON OMAGH'S NEEDS
Task force' set up to lobby government on Omagh's needs
A TASK force has been set up by Omagh District Council to lobby the Government on a range of social and economic issues in the aftermath of the August bomb atrocity.
The 'task force' which will be pressing the Government on matters such as job creation, inner town regeneration, the retention of services at the Tyrone County Hospital, and opportunities for the injured and disabled, includes representatives from Omagh Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Peace and Reconciliation Partnership, the Women's Network and local traders.
The council is represented by the chairman and vice-chairman, Mr. Sean Clarke and Mr. Allan Rainey, and Assembly members, Mr. Joe Byrne and Mr. Oliver Gibson.
Speaking at the council's monthly meeting, Mr. Mickey McAnespie suggested that all six Assembly members for West Tyrone should be on the task force, to increase the lobbying power.
Mr. John McKinney, chief executive, said he proposed to organise, along with his counterpart in Strabane District Council, regular meetings with the six Assembly members, to keep them informed on the needs for the entire area, and what needed to be lobbied for.
He said he hoped to have a structure for such meetings in place within the next few weeks.
Way forward
Mr. Liam McQuaid said such a move seemed to be a positive way forward, adding that there was no need for the six Assembly members to be on the task force.
Mr. Oliver Gibson said he had asked Mr. McKinney to meet with the Assembly members on issues affecting the West Tyrone area, but the task force was a specific Omagh matter and should be kept at a local level.
After some debate, it was agreed to retain the task force in its present form.
Mr. McKinney gave an assurance that the other four Assembly members would be kept abreast of all developments.
"We have the chairman and vice-chairman on the task force, as well as two Assembly members, and representatives from the business and community sectors," he said.
We have the opportunity to work together, and I believe the balance is right."
He added that the make-up of the group would be reviewed in June next year, when the council elects its new chairman and vice-chairman.
A TASK force has been set up by Omagh District Council to lobby the Government on a range of social and economic issues in the aftermath of the August bomb atrocity.
The 'task force' which will be pressing the Government on matters such as job creation, inner town regeneration, the retention of services at the Tyrone County Hospital, and opportunities for the injured and disabled, includes representatives from Omagh Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Peace and Reconciliation Partnership, the Women's Network and local traders.
The council is represented by the chairman and vice-chairman, Mr. Sean Clarke and Mr. Allan Rainey, and Assembly members, Mr. Joe Byrne and Mr. Oliver Gibson.
Speaking at the council's monthly meeting, Mr. Mickey McAnespie suggested that all six Assembly members for West Tyrone should be on the task force, to increase the lobbying power.
Mr. John McKinney, chief executive, said he proposed to organise, along with his counterpart in Strabane District Council, regular meetings with the six Assembly members, to keep them informed on the needs for the entire area, and what needed to be lobbied for.
He said he hoped to have a structure for such meetings in place within the next few weeks.
Way forward
Mr. Liam McQuaid said such a move seemed to be a positive way forward, adding that there was no need for the six Assembly members to be on the task force.
Mr. Oliver Gibson said he had asked Mr. McKinney to meet with the Assembly members on issues affecting the West Tyrone area, but the task force was a specific Omagh matter and should be kept at a local level.
After some debate, it was agreed to retain the task force in its present form.
Mr. McKinney gave an assurance that the other four Assembly members would be kept abreast of all developments.
"We have the chairman and vice-chairman on the task force, as well as two Assembly members, and representatives from the business and community sectors," he said.
We have the opportunity to work together, and I believe the balance is right."
He added that the make-up of the group would be reviewed in June next year, when the council elects its new chairman and vice-chairman.
Further Information
Publisher: TYRONE CONSTITUTION
Ref: TC/1247
Published Date: 01-Oct-98
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