Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)

As a county, we are well accustomed to facing challenges. In addition to facing difficulties such as declining traditional industries and ways of life, we have also had to meet the challenge of being located on the periphery with, for many years, our immediate hinterland in counties Derry, Tyrone and Fermanagh being out of reach. That fact has forced us to be innovative in finding our own solutions to particularly unique challenges.

Recent years have seen the county's infrastructure develop dramatically. Donegal has benefited substantially from considerable investment thanks to the priorities and policies of successive Fianna Fáil-led governments.

Substantial improvements in its road network have seen, for example, over €228 million invested in the county's non-national road network. Ongoing support for flights at Donegal Airport by the Government has ensured the viability of air links to west Donegal, essential for the attraction of investment to this part of the county.

The work of Údarás na Gaeltachta, strongly supported by the Government, has seen new jobs created in Gaeltacht areas and in particular at Gweedore business park. Tá níos mó post i nGaoth Dobhair anois faoi chúram Údarás na Gaeltachta.

I recall at the time of my appointment as Minister of State at the Department of Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands that it was after a period of a considerable job losses in the area. We worked hard and concentrated specifically on developing new employment opportunities for the people of the Gaoth Dobhair area. That has been achieved.

IDA Ireland, Enterprise Ireland and the county enterprise boards have also been key in supporting business projects in the county and in job creation. Results have been seen this year including the announcement of 150 new jobs at Abbott in Donegal town.

Employment and the attraction of jobs to Donegal and the regions generally is always a challenge. It was the Government, during my tenure as Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, that prioritised 50% of foreign direct investment for the regions, a move opposed by many parties opposite.

In addition to the political will and policy commitment, the right infrastructure is also critical. In Donegal, the development of a modern communications infrastructure has been essential. Some €89 million has been invested in the roll-out of broadband in the county, resulting in the development of MAN projects, as well as the €43 million investment in the Kelvin project will see connectivity between the region and North America, bringing tangible benefits to county and the constituency.

Education infrastructure in the county has also benefited significantly with many parishes seeing new schools or extensions completed. Already this year, in the region of €10 million has been invested in schools in the constituency. Approval was made for a new post-primary school in the Finn Valley and, yesterday, further infrastructure improvements were approved for Pobalscoil Ghaoth Dobhair. In excess of €110 million has been invested in major school building and modernisation projects in County Donegal.

Likewise, important local infrastructure has been redeveloped over the past several years with over €350 million invested in Donegal's public water and sewerage system under the Government's water services investment programme. Tourism, also critical to the constituency, has seen continuing investment with, for example, €2 million spent this year to develop facilities at Sliabh Liag.

Dár ndóigh is contae láidir agus bródúil Gaeltachta é Contae Dhún na nGall. Le blianta beaga anuas, tá fhios agam go maith go bhfuil Gaeltachtaí inár gcontae faoi bhrú – ó taobh na teanga agus na n-eacnamaíochta de.

Ag obair liomsa, roimhe seo leis an iar-Aire, an Teachta Eamon Ó Cuiv, agus anois leis an Aire, an Teachta Pat Carey, chomh maith le mo chomhghleacaithe eile sa chontae, tá an Rialtas seo ag obair i gcomhpáirtaíocht le pobal Gaeltachta Thír Chonaill. Chomh maith lenár n-infheistíocht in infrastructúr sa Ghaeltacht i dTír Chonaill, táimid ag leaniúnt ar aghaidh lenár bplean 20 bliain don Ghaeilge. Nuair a bheidh an plean seo aonthaithe, tá mé lán-chinnte go dtabhfarfaidh sé spreagadh agus misneach go muintir na Gaeltachta ar fud an Cchontae. Is é tuairim an Rialtais ná gur acmhainn cultúrtha agus eacnamaíochta atá sa Ghaeilge.

This by-election will be a challenging one for my party. No sitting Government has won a by-election since 1982. In Donegal, however, we have a strong track record of delivery for the county. We will have a strong candidate with a proven track record locally. We look forward to the challenge of the campaign.

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