Does Connaught have a future?

[Pauli]

On the continent parties like the Lega Nord in Italy and the Christian Social Union of Bavaria also advocate some form of separation for their own regions, but they have not been very successful in the polls. I predict that any political party stupid enough to advocate regionalism in Ireland would quickly suffer the same fate as the PDs.

Not to deliberately nit pick, but fyi, the Christian Social Union is and has been a very successful party at the polls in that has ruled Bavaria basically uninterruped since after WW2. And it doesn't operate anywhere other than Bavaria.

It's recently-departed chairman (Stoiber) also almost became Chancellor of Germany in the Bundestag elections of 2002, being narrowly defeated by Schroeder.... despite the fact the CSU party only operates in Bavaria. The party caucuses with the CDU who operate everywhere else except Bavaria.

Bavarians tend to be quite independent and have tendencies towards Bavarian cultural nationalism to some degree, but the nobody seriously advocates separation, in any form. The German system is pretty federal as it stands.

The CSU is a very successful party and has enjoyed enduring support in Bavaria. It does not advocate separating from the federal republic. It works for them
In Switzerland, the cantons enjoy considerable autonomy and the power of the federal government is limited.

What's wrong with regionalism anyway? (apart from the fact that such a move could give some actual power to the likes of Beverly Cooper-Flynn)

[Greenandred]

[quote=Schuhart]

many people of the middle classes reside there.

what are we supposed to see as significant in this statement?

you seem to be suggesting some sort of mass movement of the people of the west. the west is their home. you seem to be making the west out to be a virtually unpopulated with the exception of galway and roscommon, this simply isnt the case

No, I think the argument is that by choosing to maintain a dispersed settlement pattern the West is the architect of its own problems.[/quote:mbjuyjr2]

What exactly do you mean by the West's 'choosing' to maintain a dispersed settlement pattern?
Perhaps you should read some of the great John Healy's work; it may give you food for thought.

[joel]

Isn’t it a pity that they can’t be as coldly clinical as a planner and just accept the inevitability of their fate? It would be so much less hassle.

Can I firstly suggest that you consider the conditions that people in Connaught were living in 1841 before using that in a context where it might be mistakenly read. Its not the case that we're looking back on some wonderfully regionally balanced Ireland that somehow got lost along the way. When you consider the title of the 'Congested' Districts Board, I think its pretty clear that the West was traditionally overpopulated.

When you use the phrase 'inevitability of their fate' I really wonder what we're supposed to take out of that. Its not as if the alternative to living in Mayo is to be sold as a galley slave. Are we supposed to sit quietly and let the future of the country slip away again because apparently its 'coldly clinical' to object to good money being thrown after bad?

The question is whether we would rather have Irish people find they can make a life in Ireland, with our own Government and what goes with that, or whether we just want to give up on this national project and let people find their lives in London and New York instead. I'm honestly not convinced that many in the West have any commitment to the national concept - if it can't be Mayo, it might as well be London. I see that as them being 'coldly clinical'.

I've said it before and I'll say it again. Irish nation? I think it would be a great idea. But if we've no appetite to be a nation, why not stop pretending because we're only confusing each other.

I don't think the people of the West will accept the fate that the British ordaimed again - if you think you can ride roughshod over them then I think there will be trouble.

Forget it. Get your head screwed on the right way and ensure balanced regional development.

[Schuhart]

What exactly do you mean by the West's 'choosing' to maintain a dispersed settlement pattern?

I mean choosing to maintain a dispersed settlement pattern, which includes things like voting for a relaxed approach to one-off housing development.

I don't think the people of the West will accept the fate that the British ordaimed again - if you think you can ride roughshod over them then I think there will be trouble.

This is an old thread, and I've no appetite for explaining yet again to a row of gobbers basic facts about the country they live in. But, to address your point, I've absolutely no illusions about the extent to which 'save the West' types don't give a toss about the impact of their demands on the rest of the country. Which sort of makes your statement an empty threat - what damage is there left for you to inflict?

Forget it. Get your head screwed on the right way and ensure balanced regional development.

The key to balanced regional development, if that's what people in the West want, is in their own hands. So far, they've decided they don't really want it.

[Brocolli]

Interesting topic Mollox.

In my view the answer is yes.

Economics exists to enable a society to trade and prosper. Not the other way around.

If your arguments are applied to Ireland as a whole, then the whole country is not economically viable, yet we recently posted the second highest GDP per capita in the EU.

The fact is that those of us who choose to live in Galway actually like the place. The challenge is to make sure that it is economically viable.

Overall your argument is absurd. For example if Derry City and Galway City are both economically viable but the rest of Connacht is not do those who wish to travel between the two cities have to fly or take the long way round?

The fact is that the nation exists as a whole. I'd love to see Dublin trying to grow all its own food, dispose of its own waste, provide it's own electricity, drink its own water. It's just not realistic.

Our four provinces have proud histories and proud cultures. That's what makes them relevant. Not a few euros and cents.

[Schuhart]

Overall your argument is absurd. For example if Derry City and Galway City are both economically viable but the rest of Connacht is not do those who wish to travel between the two cities have to fly or take the long way round?

Would you like to reflect on who is being absurd here? In fact, the absurdity of your use of the word absurd here?

[essexboy]

Instad of balanced regional development, which suggests spreading economic development over one region equally, the regions should be treated as separate parts of a whole like we do for Tourism(even though that is a totally naff strategy for tourism)
Connacht must focus its economy onto where it can derive a comparitve advantage. Galway, Knock, Athlone and Sligo should be the areas focused on as the economic dynamos of the region.
Connacht is not the only disadvantaged area in Ireland. My own county of Wexford was the 6th poorest county in Ireland the last time I checked, despite many natural advantages

I wouldn't define "balanced Regional Development" as spreading development over one region. I would define it more in terms of development proportionate to the assets of the region, which include traditional place in the hierarchy. In other words, if a region / county / townland / town has nothing to offer, then nothing should be pumped into it, over and above public services, just for the sake of it.

And yes, you're spot on about Connacht focussing it's economy, but as Schuhart said, it will never ever happen. Why in the name of God is there an Airport in Knock (did I just answer my own question?) instead of Sligo/Ballina etc? Why are they building a rail corridor to carry no-one while the cities choke? It's all nonsense, but after May 07, I have no sympathy for anyone on this island who complains about investment, healthcare, education and traffic. Ireland made it's bed, and Ireland can lie in it. The West therefore has no future.

Why in the name of God is there an Airport in Knock (did I just answer my own question?) instead of Sligo/Ballina etc?
Market forces! Knock airport is busy, Sligo and Galway are not. Knock offers flights to all 4 London airports, Sligo just offers flights to Manchester etc.

[Schuhart]

Market forces! Knock airport is busy, Sligo and Galway are not. Knock offers flights to all 4 London airports, Sligo just offers flights to Manchester etc.

It has very little to do with market forces and quite a bit to do with Galway not being able to take jets.

[the king]

Depressing place, Depressing people

[Greenandred]

Depressing place, Depressing people

Thanks for that, being born and reared there I'd have a contrary view.