CRITCISED…DARD Minister Michelle O’Neill
THE SDLP’S Fermanagh South Tyrone candidate in the 7th May Westminster elections, John Coyle has criticised the Agriculture minister, Michelle O’Neill for her failure to attend a meeting of Severely Disadvantaged Areas group in Derrygonnelly last week.
And, he claimed that Sinn Fein’s DARD policies were constraining farmers rather than supporting them.
He commented: “The shameful absence of Michelle O’Neill at such an important meeting is indicative of the contempt for which the Sinn Fein leadership hold for farmers and the people of Fermanagh South Tyrone.
“Either the minister felt the concerns of farmers are not worth her time, or she is taking Sinn Fein’s abstentionist policies to their logical conclusion.”
A spokesman for the organisers of the meeting confirmed to the Herald that the Minister was unwell and was unable to attend this and other meetings she had planned.
“But, she was represented by the under-secretary of the department, David Small who was accompanied by Herbie Jones, the chief of the Environment and Rural Development branch of DARD.”
The spokesman said the minister had promised to attend a further meeting in the Derrygonnelly area at an agreed time in the future.
And, Mr Coyle also targeted the sitting MP for the constituency, Michelle Gildernew for not coming up to the mark.
He said: “Margaret Ritchie (SDLP) is fighting in Westminster to secure extra assistance for dairy farmers at a time when they cannot make the production price of their milk.
“I can confidently say that Michelle Gildernew is not doing the same. We do not need absentee MPs and absentee agriculture ministers. We need someone who will stand up for farmers at every opportunity and deliver the best deal for them.
“On Sunday, we heard Michelle Gildernew claim that Fermanagh South Tyrone is Sinn Fein’s seat, thereby showing a complete disrespect for the electorate.
“The farmers of this area are sick of being taken for granted, and the people of this area are sick of being taken for granted.”