John Brady TD launches 'Unlocking Arklow's Potential' discussion document

Wicklow Sinn Féin TD John Brady was joined on Wednesday evening in the Arklow Bay Hotel by the Sinn Féin Finance spokesperson Pearse Doherty to launch a document entitled ‘Unlocking Arklow’s Potential’. The discussion document which was launched before a packed room came about following extensive consultation with the public and key stakeholders. The meeting was chaired by Arklow Sinn Féin councillor Mary McDonald.

Speaking after the launch Teachta Brady said “I was delighted to launch the ‘Unlocking Arklow’s Potential’ document with the Sinn Féin spokesperson for Finance Pearse Doherty on Wednesday evening. It was good to see over 100 attend the launch, particularly given the time of year and the weather.”

“The document has come about following extensive consultation with the public and the key stakeholders. The comprehensive document looks at a number of different areas and makes recommendations that if only a fraction were to be implemented would go a long way to unlocking the massive potential that Arklow has.”

“The report is broken into 4 main areas, Infrastructure, Infrastructure, Public Realm Plan, Employment/Retail and Tourism. The report looks comprehensively at each of these areas and makes a number of key recommendations.”

“The lack of a sewage treatment has had a negative impact on both the economic and residential development of Arklow, it is anticipated that a planning submission will be made to An Bord Pleanala will be made over the next few months. This in itself will act as a catalyst, helping unlock development that has been stifled by the lack of a water treatment plant. Other key infrastructural projects include the construction of a Deep Sea Port at Arklow Rock, a port access road and slip roads on and off the M11 to the Avoca Road.”

“The report also makes a number of recommdations to help employment in the Arklow area, which still has very high unemployment rates and is a youth unemployment black sport. Some of the key proposals include a new Occupation of Vacant Commercial Premises Incentive Scheme, also an extension needed to the Arklow Business Enterprise Centre.”

“The plan offers some ideas and ways in which I feel that Arklow can grow. I hope this document will serve as a conversation starter for the people of Arklow and all those who wish to see it develop and thrive in the months and years to come.

We need to ensure party politics is left to one side and that the development of Arklow is priority for all. A number of the proposals that I have brought forward are immediately deliverable by the local authority, others would need substantial investment at a national level. I would hope that all public representatives at both local and national levels could unite around some of the proposals and lobby Government for funding.”

“Arklow is a great town with great people; it has so much potential that unfortunately has been held back. If working together we could deliver sections of this plan, it would move Arklow forward positively and help create sustainable employment. The report has received a very positive response and I look forward to continued engagement with the key stakeholders with a view to trying to adding to the plan and implementing some, if not all of it.”