Completing the Ros a Mhíl Harbour development is vital to the future of Connemara’s fishing industry and the employment prospects for people in the region.
This is the view of Máirtín Lee, who is running as an Fianna Fail candidate in the Local Elections on May 23.
Mr Lee said there is widespread concern in Connemara that the most basic services which allow people to live in the region are “being eroded” by the policies and practices of the current Government.
Alongside the harbour development, Mr Lee is also calling for the region’s roads to be improved and for better broadband speeds and mobile phone coverage.
“Without this infrastructure it will be very difficult, if not impossible, to create employment in Connemara,” he said.
He also added that there are villages in Connemara which “do not have any water supply”, and yet residents are still being charged property tax and will be expected to pay the upcoming water tax charges.
Mr Lee is one of 17 candidates arefour running in the nine seater Connemara ward.
Mr Lee has been managing his own business, manufacturing and repairing fishing nets, since the late 1980s. He is also a community activitist, having been involved in the establishing of a community council in the Leitir Móir area in 2001.