Posted online: May 14th, 2008

Mary Coughlan must deliver jobs and prosperity to Inishowen, where unemployment has increased by almost 50 per cent in the last two years, according local Sinn Fein councillor Pádraig MacLochlainn.Wishing the new Tanaiste well, Colr. MacLochlainn  slated previous ministers who, he claimed, had failed to tackle what he described as the county’s “economic crisis.”Colr. MacLochlainn was just one of a number of local politicians giving their reaction to the Donegal TD rising to No 2 in the Cabinet, which also sees her take on the role of Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment.While Colr MacLochlainn gave Ms. Coughlan’s elevation a cautious welcome, it was not the case with Senator Cecilia Keaveney, who was naturally delighted for her party colleague.She said: “Minister Coughlan is a very deserving candidate for the significant promotion. I wish her every success in the new positions. In particular, I congratulate Minister Coughlan on securing a Ministry which will be so particularly well received in Donegal – that of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. Veteran Fine Gael County Councillor Bernard McGuinness said he was “delighted” for Ms. Coughlan.He said: “I wish her well. Hopefully, she will bring reformation to the county, no doubt she will. I wish her every success in her new position. I know Mary a long time and knew her father and uncle before her, and I have no doubt she will be capable. I hope she does well for everyone.”Colr. MacLochlainn said while he wished the new Tanaiste well her ministerial challenge must result in the delivery of employment and prosperity to Donegal, especially Inishowen.He added: “Despite establishing task forces and inter-departmental reports on employment in Donegal, previous Ministers for Enterprise, Trade, and Employment, Mary Harney, Míchael Martin and their Government ultimately failed to effectively tackle the ongoing economic crisis in Donegal. Despite a short period of positive news, unemployment has increased by 20% over the last two years and as much as 47% in areas like Inishowen.”