Councillor highlights 'price gouging' at European Parliament meeting

Clodagh McKeon

“If we’re not careful, people will be driven away from Irish tourism,” said Westmeath councillor, Frank McDermott, on his visit to the European Parliament in Brussels last week.

MEP for the Midlands North West, Maria Walsh, invited Cllr McDermott to the EU headquarters where he attended meetings and events with Ms Walsh and the head of the Irish Regions European Office, Teresa Lennon.

He was a part of a round table discussion that focused on funding opportunities. Councillors noting that the biggest obstacle they face is the lack of resources in each local authority for funding programmes.

Among the issues raised was the importance of tourism in both large towns and small communities.

Cllr McDermott said something needs to be done to prevent “price gouging”.

He said people will be driven away from Irish tourism if that is not addressed.

He also spoke about Leader programmes and funds and said that the system is not working as well as it should be and that the funding needs to be increased.

Ms Walsh welcomed the opportunity to hear from local representatives on the ground in Westmeath and agreed that funding has always been an issue.

“The funding and the change are coming, but just not fast enough in some cases. I am conscious, too, that our community needs to be reflected in our councils, and vice versa,” she said.

She thanked all who attended and said: “After far too long, it’s lovely to be able to welcome guests back to the European Parliament, in person.

“It’s also so important for councillors to be able to voice issues, at a European level, from across the Midlands North West constituency.”