RESPONDING TO an appeal by Catholic bishops to save the Western Development Commission (WDC), Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs Éamon Ó Cuív said last night it would be “totally improper” for him to comment on the future of any particular agency ahead of next week’s budget.
In a joint statement yesterday, the Catholic bishops of the west of Ireland expressed concern that the WDC might be subsumed into another State agency.
The bishops said: “The review and possible rationalisation of State agencies is understandable in the current economic climate. However, such a review should also include the regional significance of each agency.
“It would defy logic, and is contrary to public policy in its true sense, if the existence and functions of the Western Development Commission were to be undermined by such a review.
“The western bishops began the process which led to the establishment of the Western Development Commission. It was founded on the basis of research into the regional reasons for the economic depression and depopulation in the west.
“For the commission now to face possible integration into a larger, State-wide agency would be a retrograde step of incalculable economic and social proportions for the people and communities of the west of Ireland.
“ Its strategic regional contribution, through its Research and Investment Fund, is vital,” the statement said.
Mr Ó Cuív told The Irish Times: “I absolutely welcome their support for the review of all semi-State agencies and it would be totally improper for me to make any comment beyond that in relation to the review of any particular State agency ahead of the budget next week, but obviously the Government has well flagged that they are looking at everything.
“It would be wrong to exempt any organisation from the examination and it would also be wrong for the Minister to make any comment” ahead of a decision.
The commission itself has said there is “no proposal” to merge it with Enterprise Ireland.
However, the WDC has confirmed that it has been asked to comment on the impact of a merger with Enterprise Ireland, which promotes and develops indigenous business.
The request was made in early August by the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, it has said.
In a statement issued to Nuacht TG4, the WDC said that it is “specifically mandated to promote the economic and social development of the western region”.
“Enterprise Ireland has a national remit. There are no areas of overlap,” the WDC statement said.