OMAGH COMMUNITY IS INSPIRING AND INVIGORATING
Omagh Community is 'inspiring and invigorating'
BY: JOHN McCUSKER
Business people key to town's regeneration
The Secretary of State has praised the 'invigorating and inspiring' attitude of the people of Omagh as they continued to overcome the difficulties posed following the tragedy of August a year ago.
Addressing around 200 guests attending a Chamber of Commerce dinner in the Silverbirch Hotel, Peter Mandelson said the town wholly represented the North's journey from its dark and isolated past, into a better future for everyone.
Introducing the 'Prince of Darkness' Chamber President, Patrick Bogues welcomed the guest speaker, who he described as 'one of the most influential political figures of our time.'
"Mr Mandelson has played a crucial role in the final stages of setting up the Assembly and has signalled his interest in the economic development of Northern Ireland.
"His experience in Government, and in particular at the Department of Trade and Industry, gives him a unique position to be our guide as we start out on the journey into the future" he said.
In a lengthy speech, the Secretary of State applauded the Chamber's regeneration plan for the town, which, he said, combined both 'vision and planning'.
He also praised' the way the town had 'bounced back' from the horrors inflicted upon it and the reconstruction of the town centre - the 'new face of Omagh' - represented a bold, imaginative drive to place the town at the forefront of the North's political and economic revival.
"You, in the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, are the key to that regeneration" he told guests.
"You have put together a programme that combines vision and planning, drawing businesses and the community together in partnership to manage commercial development and investment in a responsible and effective way.
"You have identified your strengths, your support for Omagh College will exploit a rich seam of talent. Investment in e-commerce will be handsomely rewarded. And where there are weaknesses, like in infrastructure, you are working hard to improve.
"What I have seen today convinces me that your efforts will realise your ambition to make Omagh a key service and administrative centre. The commercial hub of the region."
His memories of Omagh, he said, were shared by many people from across the world.
"My memories are of the enormous courage of ordinary people in the face of extraordinary tragedy. The outstanding work of the emergency services and staff at the local hospitals whose heroism on that day prevented even heavier loss of life; of members of the RUC, some of whom I met earlier, who dealt with the immediate aftermath with bravery and sensitivity, the quality that last year earned the RUC the George Cross.
"It is hard to believe that those images of that day were of the same town that I have come to today" the Secretary of State reflected.
But nowhere now better represented the journey of Northern Ireland out of its dark and isolated past and into a better future than Omagh, he said.
"I have been humbled by what I have seen today: the determination of people to come to terms with the past, but never to be enslaved to it.
"The people of Omagh have not emerged from tragedy alone. They have been inspired by the young people who want to take the chances that peace offers them by the scruff of the neck and really make something of their lives, here in Northern Ireland.
"They are, at last, represented by politicians who know and understand Northern Ireland's pain, because they have lived through it.
"And they are led by businessmen and women who have worked tirelessly to restore confidence in this town and rebuild the economy" he added.
BY: JOHN McCUSKER
Business people key to town's regeneration
The Secretary of State has praised the 'invigorating and inspiring' attitude of the people of Omagh as they continued to overcome the difficulties posed following the tragedy of August a year ago.
Addressing around 200 guests attending a Chamber of Commerce dinner in the Silverbirch Hotel, Peter Mandelson said the town wholly represented the North's journey from its dark and isolated past, into a better future for everyone.
Introducing the 'Prince of Darkness' Chamber President, Patrick Bogues welcomed the guest speaker, who he described as 'one of the most influential political figures of our time.'
"Mr Mandelson has played a crucial role in the final stages of setting up the Assembly and has signalled his interest in the economic development of Northern Ireland.
"His experience in Government, and in particular at the Department of Trade and Industry, gives him a unique position to be our guide as we start out on the journey into the future" he said.
In a lengthy speech, the Secretary of State applauded the Chamber's regeneration plan for the town, which, he said, combined both 'vision and planning'.
He also praised' the way the town had 'bounced back' from the horrors inflicted upon it and the reconstruction of the town centre - the 'new face of Omagh' - represented a bold, imaginative drive to place the town at the forefront of the North's political and economic revival.
"You, in the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, are the key to that regeneration" he told guests.
"You have put together a programme that combines vision and planning, drawing businesses and the community together in partnership to manage commercial development and investment in a responsible and effective way.
"You have identified your strengths, your support for Omagh College will exploit a rich seam of talent. Investment in e-commerce will be handsomely rewarded. And where there are weaknesses, like in infrastructure, you are working hard to improve.
"What I have seen today convinces me that your efforts will realise your ambition to make Omagh a key service and administrative centre. The commercial hub of the region."
His memories of Omagh, he said, were shared by many people from across the world.
"My memories are of the enormous courage of ordinary people in the face of extraordinary tragedy. The outstanding work of the emergency services and staff at the local hospitals whose heroism on that day prevented even heavier loss of life; of members of the RUC, some of whom I met earlier, who dealt with the immediate aftermath with bravery and sensitivity, the quality that last year earned the RUC the George Cross.
"It is hard to believe that those images of that day were of the same town that I have come to today" the Secretary of State reflected.
But nowhere now better represented the journey of Northern Ireland out of its dark and isolated past and into a better future than Omagh, he said.
"I have been humbled by what I have seen today: the determination of people to come to terms with the past, but never to be enslaved to it.
"The people of Omagh have not emerged from tragedy alone. They have been inspired by the young people who want to take the chances that peace offers them by the scruff of the neck and really make something of their lives, here in Northern Ireland.
"They are, at last, represented by politicians who know and understand Northern Ireland's pain, because they have lived through it.
"And they are led by businessmen and women who have worked tirelessly to restore confidence in this town and rebuild the economy" he added.
Further Information
Publisher: ULSTER HERALD
Ref: UH/1323
Published Date: 20-Jan-00
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