Inishowen business owners in crunch talks with council

One of the world’s most successful businessmen has been approached to help Inishowen get through the current economic crisis, the “Inish Times” can reveal. The award-winning economic consultant is wanted by the newly-formed Inishowen Inc. group which is seeking “special tax status” for the peninsula. Inishowen Inc. was set up a month ago after business people throughout the peninsula held a series of public rallies to highlight what they claim is the “critical economic conditions” prevailing in the region, which now has almost 5,500 unemployed – an 86% increase from this time last year. The group yesterday held crunch talks with Donegal County Manager, Michael McLoone, and six of the council’s Directors of Services, understood to be an unprecedented move by the local authority. The meeting was still ongoing at the time of going to press yesterday but it is believed a 50% reduction in commercial and water rates was high on the agenda. Positive proposals to promote Inishowen were also believed to be put on the table by the group. Speaking to the “Inish Times” before going into the meeting, Inishowen Inc. spokesperson, Cecil Doherty, said he was hopeful of a positive outcome from the negotiations. Mr. Doherty said: “We are delighted to have the opportunity that Mr. McLoone has afforded us. Given the fact that we only requested this meeting several weeks ago, the swift response we have received is a testimony to his concerns at the sad economic life of the peninsula.” He added: “The fact that so many senior council officials will be attending is a recognition of the intensity of the crisis.” Mr. Doherty said he hoped the meeting would be the first of a number. He added: “Communication in the current times is essential and it is vital the groundswell of public opinion is listened to.” Mr. Doherty, however, said the group was not in a position, as yet, to identify the high profile business person other than to reveal he was a household name with a worldwide recognition of success – and that he was only one of a number of renowned business personalities being recruited by Inishowen Inc. He said: “We are in the process of interviewing a number of senior economic consultants with a view to researching and developing an all-inclusive plan for Inishowen. “We are also in process of talking to high profile personalities to highlight and support these innovative efforts of self-help.” Yesterday’s negotiations followed a number of meetings in recent weeks of Inishowen Inc. which now has a 20-strong cabinet-style steering committee which has been boosted by the addition of several of the peninsula’s most respected business owners. Mr. Doherty said: “A cabinet-style management structure has been established with active sub committees responsible for areas such as finance, tourism, business development, local government, and sports and local organisations.” See next week’s “inish Times” for a report of yesterday’s crunch meeting.