Save The Swilly June 2, 2004

COULTER CALLS FOR POLITICAL CHANGE IN DONEGAL

Phil Coulter, Save The Swilly's Ambassador-At-Large, has called on voters in Donegal and the North West to bring about a change of attitude in the region during the forthcoming council and European elections.

"We need to think laterally, and support good candidates who will bring about the necessary change," Coulter said.
Phil Coulter said candidates such as the Green Party's Peter Doran in Inishowen and Neil Clarke in Letterkenny, and Sinn Fein European Parliament candidate Pearse Doherty all represented a good alternative to the status quo.

Dr Peter Doran has considerable experience in environmental issues at local and central government level, and considered standing as a candidate representing a range of environmental groups, including Save The Swilly, during the 2002 General Election. He has immense credibility in the environmental movement. Neil Clarke, Green Party candidate in the Letterkenny Town Council and Donegal County Council elections, has been a bold and outspoken champion of the River Swilly.

"The parties traditionally holding power in the North West have run out of ideas, not least on the environment. They seem unable to confront the people who are intent on destroying everything around them in the interests of development. I think it's time for change. We deserve better," said Phil Coulter.

"What is so difficult to understand about the need to take account of all stakeholders in managing a resource as valuable, as delicate and as close to our hearts as Lough Swilly?" Coulter asked. "Development is taking place in an ad hoc way, with no evidence of an overall plan or of any real understanding of the needs of various groups."

Reiterating the call he made at the time of the General Election, Coulter said "The message to this government, and indeed to the next government, is that Lough Swilly, its environs and its people are precious - we must not tolerate any further abuse." Looking ahead to the local and European elections Coulter said: "To be elected by your fellow citizens to serve them in public office is the ultimate recognition. We need to demand far more of our elected politicians than we have demanded up to now."

He said it was time the entrenched interests in the County Council were given a wake-up call. "Independent candidates can do this, and I believe we should also give a boost to the Green Party, which is unapologetic about its commitment to the environment, and to genuinely sustainable development."

Citing continuing damage to the indigenous oyster beds in Lough Swilly and the River Swilly through indiscriminate and illegal mussel dredging, Coulter said it was yet another example of the current administration's failure to comply with its own laws. "We have had a Minister in this Government promising the Dail to stop the destruction of the oyster beds in Lough Swilly, but nothing has happened.

"The fishermen of Inch, seeking long-overdue Council or central government investment in a community-led initiative to upgrade the Inch Pier, have had minimal political support. We must not stand back and allow these and other travesties of the democratic process to continue."

SAVE THE SWILLY contacts:

Email: info@loughswilly.com
Phone: Tony Morrison (353) 07493-63733
Phone: John Mulcahy (353) 07491-59113; (353) 086-2808636
Address: c/o Buncrana Anglers Association,
Castle Lane, Buncrana, Co. Donegal
Website: www.loughswilly.com

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Archived Press Releases:

September 25, 2006
Oyster crisis exposes "shambles" in management of Swilly

July 11, 2005
Attempt to double salmon-farming output in Lough Swilly

August 23, 2004
Which part of "No" don't they understand?

August 24, 2004
Which part of "No" don't they understand?

June 2, 2004
Coulter calls for political change in Donegal

December 15, 2003
Portsalon salmon-farming licence refused by ALAB

November 05, 2003
Sea Trout and Wild Salmon have been Victims of 'Ethnic Cleansing' - FISSTA

September 24, 2003
Prime Time Exposes Aquaculture's Shortcomings

July 24, 2003
Save the Swilly Calls for Farmed Salmon Mortality Monitor

July 21, 2003
Another Disaster in Inver Bay - Inquiry Essential

July 17, 2003
Rural Development Towards Sustainability

February 8, 2003
Save the Swilly Meets Inishowen Politicians

February 3, 2003
Blue Flag Beach Threatened by 80-Acre Fish Farm

January 29, 2003
Save the Swilly 10,000-Signature Petition Accepted by Europe

January 28, 2003
New Alliance Formed in Swilly

December 16, 2002
"Stop Ripping Up the Swilly" Indigenous People Demand

December 13, 2002
Lough Swilly's Indigenous Fishermen Speak Out

October1, 2002
Public Meeting to Discuss Integrated Coastal Zone Management

September 25, 2002
Save the Swilly Welcomes the Strategy on Coastal Zone Mangement

August 12, 2002
Integrated Coastal Zone Management Proposal Launched

August 2, 2002
Questions over decomposing salmon in Inver Bay

June 3, 2002
No Room for Tradition in Lough Swilly

May 3, 2002
Save the Swilly opts for "Swilly First"

May 3, 2002
Save the Swilly/Green Party candidate withdraws

May 1, 2002
Save the Swilly/Green Party candidate to contest Donegal North-East

April 18, 2002
Coulter to be "Ambassador at Large" for Save the Swilly

March 25, 2002
Save The Swilly presents 10,000-signature petition to EU

March 12, 2002
Study of Lough Swilly launched

November 30, 2001 STS letter to Hugh Byrne, Minister for State for the Department of the Marine

November 27, 2001 ICZM and OSPAR - not Clams - for Swilly

October 17, 2001 Salmon farm wants still more licences inshore

September 17, 2001 Save the Swilly meets Labour Party

September 13, 2001 Save the Swilly meets Minister of State Byrne

September 1, 2001 Save the Swilly begins fundraising drive

August 28, 2001 Save the Swilly welcomes I.F.A. initiative

May 15, 2001 Expansion of salmon farming tragic for Swilly

April 9, 2001 Mussel barrels adrift in Lough Swilly

March 22, 2001 Save the Swilly presents petition

March 13, 2001 Save the Swilly questions Minister Byrne

March 11, 2001 Save the Swilly reaffirms call for moratorium

February 20, 2001 Launch of Save the Swilly website

January 24, 2001

January 16, 2001 Delegation meets Minister Hugh Byrne

January 9, 2001 Save The Swilly
(from looking like Mulroy Bay)