Weather
Listen to CRY Radio 104fm live
Youghal Cast Out As Forgotten Town – Sherlock
Posted on Thursday, November 5th, 2009CORK EAST Labour TD Seán Sherlock believes that the closure of Youghal’s last manufacturing plant is proof that the town has was forgotten during the boom and is bearing the brunt of the bust.
Photo: Michael Hussey www.youghalonline.com Email: news@youghalonline.com
Pauline Ayres, HR manager and plant manager Michael Sheehan, pictured at the Tytex Ireland Ltd. open day-May 2007
“Tytex’s closure signifies the loss of 80 jobs, and it is a sad sign of the times that this figure pales in comparison with the number of jobs across the country.
“The real impact for the town of Youghal goes beyond the 80 people now looking for work in an already difficult climate. This closure symbolises the final nail in the coffin for the town’s once healthy factory trade.
“Artesyn Technologies and Dennison closed in recent years, and the knock on for Youghal has already greatly hit the town. The responsibility of politicians will be to fight for towns like Youghal and do what we can to ensure it gets a greater slice of the cake when things pick up again.”
Tytex Ireland Ltd. production plant Youghal
“The news of this latest closure coincides with the revelation that a special task force charged with job creation has met just once this year. It is clear that the Government is out of ideas, and it is the forgotten towns like Youghal who are suffering for it.
Deputy Seán Sherlock
Labour Spokesperson on Agriculture and Food
Cork East
Flemings (Davis) Lane
Mallow
Co. Cork
022-53523
087-7402057
I haven’t posted since the local elections and there has been much water under the bridge since then. I’ve left the country for work yet again, this time for the sunnier climes of Cyprus, and politicians have failed us yet again, but I still have the gra and passion for the hometown.
I believe, but I could be wrong, that it was the Mayor who said in the last week that Youghal has become a commuter town. As usual the politicians are 10 years behind reality. Youghal ha been a commuter town for at least 10 years. You only to drive around The Green, The Rise etc. to see this. Empty houses during the day and lights at night.
So its a commuter town. So what? Manufacturing is dead, has been for twenty years. Its time to attract service industries. Call centres, financial institutions etc. Laugh if you will but look at Fermoy when it had BUPA.
The past is a another country, they do things differently there.
Move on or die, your choice.
Speaking from my armchair as well, but I’m not alone in that
No cynicism here for your efforts, Sean.
As Donie has said, we as a town need to ask ourselves why we consistently aid in re-electing two TDs to the Dail who as I’ve said before couldn’t find Youghal on a map.
In all fairness to Deputy Sherlock, as he has said, he’s only been representing this constituency for two years or so, and has in that time maintained more of a presence here than the other three put together.
Cllr. Daly too has been nothing but forthright and honest since his election, and is frankly a breath of fresh air since he took office. I know personally how much time he puts in, after hours as it were, and he is realistic in what he says regarding the limited role of town councils in the grand scheme of things. I know too, he is frustrated by the machinations of others, in terms of what are ultimately costly baubles, award ceremonies, civic receptions, the awarding of a substantial contract to a firm to repair the town walls, when same could have been conducted in house-possibly with the help of some temporary hire workers, mucking about with fairtrade signage and the like.
On the other hand, the council staff have achieved many positives; the provision of a fine arts centre, Aura, and the usage of the French convent etc., to bring a bit of culture to the town. All good things.
One thing we have in spades in Youghal, compared to other places, is community spirit. A browse of these pages, or the Youghal News shows much to be proud of with regard to the work people are doing with clubs, societies, charities, committees and the like.
One thing we don’t have, is outside investment, an effective lobby, or an ability to capitalise on our obvious potential.
The answers are not easy. We all know what we want and need, but how to get there is another story. We as a community, while we should not pursue an isolationist policy, need to look out for ourselves. No point in bashing the two elected representatives who are trying to do something, and not just online, either. A good start would be to endeavour to punch above our weight in terms of political representation-which doesn’t mean leaving it to the politicians-many of whom-present company excepted, are unwilling or unable to step up to the plate. Represent yourselves also. Use the media. Write letters, they are more likely to elicit a response than emails. Take your grievances to your local clinics, and beyond as well. Micky Ahern allots half an hour to Cobh and Youghal for his clinics, and that includes travel to Midleton and on again in each half hour period. If bums were parked on seats to speak with him, he’d have to allow considerably more time, wouldn’t he?
I would just like to say that, Donie Daly attended a fundraiser I was involved in and gave up his time without question and I would have far more faith in him than the rest of the councillors, in real terms councillors cant do a whole lot but they can voice the opinions and represent the people that come to them for assistance. I do not follow any party ,when I voted I gave people I thought could be more effective the votes, and it’s true if people want change, then why was that not reflected in the votes..
Moaning and complaining is no good, they are plenty of voluntary groups in Youghal looking for people to join them, get out there and make the changes happen.
its happening in every country,manufacturing being moved out to eastern europe/asia.
production costs are to high in Ireland /UK.
You would have thought that the government could give a good incentive for these companies to stay, but i dont see why governments should get involved with companies and their profits.
Youghal should focus on tourism, because it has a superb location, and the layout of the town(the old walls, etc), make it a historically important place.
Its all well and good saying do the place up, who will pay for it?
sherlock is once again jumping on the ‘bandwagon’, as he has also done this week regarding the demonstration by workers organised for the 6th november 2009.
Typical politician, jumping on the band wagon. Closing the gate when the horse has bolted. Havn’t heard from fellow since the elections, suddenly there’s a story in Youghal and he’s there. Why don’t you tell us as an elected representative what you did to try and save this factory and all the other industries in Youghal. Youghal was forgotten during the boom, especially by politicians like yourself, who just looked after your own and remained yes men to your parties. Happy enough to take the money out of Youghal but give nothing back. Youghal was not even maintained during the boom years let alone be developed.
Why don’t you get off your high horse and do something positive for the people and area that you represent rather than moaning to others.
Fair play Kev your spot on,you don’t need to look to at national level to say that either,the only thing i’ve seen debated in ytc lately is,is it worthy to give civic receptions to people who deserve it,they all want in for the money ,nothing else,has Beecher,Hennessy,Coyne,Linehan-Foley been hear of since the election ,i don’t know what they are doing but its not the good of the town they have at heart,its whats in it for them,look at the state of cork hill with weeds ,its a disgrace or the state of all the approach roads to the town,put a sign up outside now”You are now entering an industry free zone,turn around and go home as the local shops will rob you.
In reply to GETYOUGHALJOBS:-
I know that you didnt mention me in your list of Councillors above, and I can assure people that I’m trying my level best to help anyone that has come to me for assistance since I became a councillor in June.
The town of Youghal has been neglected and ignored over the last 10-15 years by the Govt. TD’s that were elected by us on numerous occasions. But then again its hard to blame Michael Ahern and Ned O’ Keefe from ignoring Youghal when its quiet obvious from election results over the last 10 years that irrespective of how much Youghal is neglected, the compliant, easily fooled people of Youghal will continue to vote for Fianna Fail candidates at successive elections. So why should Ahern & O’ Keeffe give a rats arse! These are the guys with the direct access to the IDA, Minister for Enterprise etc, they can and have done wonders for Carrigtwohill & North Cork respectively. Why should they be bothered with Youghal?
Youghal, despite being in the midst of a social and economic melt down, (and has been for as long as I can remember), elected 3 Fianna Fail councillors in the local elections in June, receiving the largest share of the vote with over 31%. What message does this send out to Ahern & O’Keefe? I know exactly what message it conveys; no matter how much we keep kicking the people of Youghal, just like the abused dog, they’ll keep coming back for more or the same. So look to your friends, neighbours & family and remember last June one out of every three of them decided that Youghal wasnt so badly off that a change was needed.
OK, there may not have been much of a choice of candidates, but again, any one that complains on here or anywhere else for that matter that Youghal is in a pityful state had an opportunity last June to put their name forward for election to try and make a difference, but how may did ? – I did, Eoin Coyne did, Robert Sweetnam did, David Daly did, Billy Murphy did! Where were all the rest of you?
I can tell you I could do with some of your backing in the council right now!”
Just to put another a popular misconception to bed, regarding the ‘money’ that councillors get for being on the council. Firstly, I didnt put myself forward for election for any monetary gain, in fact before I got elected , I naively thought expenses were being solely reimbursed. As it transpires, I get €49.77 lodged to my account each week after tax, from Cork County Council. If people dont believe me I will scan the payslip and email to anyone that would care to see it. Out of this I have a mobile phone to run so people can make contact with me and I with them, with their issues. I have a printer (that drinks ink) for writing letters and corresponding with and on behalf of the people of Youghal. I have a job that I work 9 to 5. I come home have my dinner, spend an hour or so with my wife and 3 1/2 year old child, then I’m either out again meeting people with issues,at meetings, emailing or writing letters for the remainder of the evening. Then once a month there is a 2 hour council meeting which I attend. I’m not complaining, I decided on this of my own free will. No one forced me to do it. I will also give anyone that so wishes the opportunity to come with me for a week,( I’ll pick you up at 7 every evening and drop you home when I have finished my council ‘work’) and I’ll give you half of what I make from the council for that week – €24.89. (I’ll actually make it €25).
The only other areas where a councillor benefits is from being on committes, VEC etc, going to Conferences (allowance is paid) or free wine at civic receptions. I can only speak for myself on this one, but I’m not on any committees, have not gone or will not being going to any conferences and my stance on Civic receptions is well documented. I havent gone to or will not be going to these during the 5 years I will be a councillor! Do you not think I could make more doing 1 hours bar work ever night, with a lot less hassle? Or do you not think my employer would appreciate it if I did an extra 10-20 hours of overtime each week? Would I not be better of when it cam to him paying my bonus at Christmas?
So in summary, I’m as frustrated (maybe even more so) then the rest of you! Some days I wish i had just sat back, ignored Sean Sherlock, and gone about with my life, ignoring what was happening to the town, just like the other 99.9% of people in the town. But I didnt, thats the difference!
Donie,
I must say well done, you couldn’t have said it better and with such passion and openness, fair play to ya. Its so easy for others to point the finger from their armchair!
fair comment but considering I was elected only two years ago to the Dail and I am not in a government party I can hardly be blamed for losses of jobs in the town. But why dont ye get in touch with me and I’ll come down to youghal anytime to talk about getting things going. Cllr Donie Daly and myself are tryng to talk up the town. I did visit Tytex in June with Alan Kelly MEP to see what we could do. I’m not going to bulls==t you and tell you that any intervention from any opposition politician was going to save jobs there. That would be a lie. I’m assuming that ye are active participants in the voluntary and social life of the town so why not get in touch with me and I will see what I can do for youghal. Incidentally I have a monthly clinic in youghal and the number of individual queries is increasing all the time. I’m happy to get stuck in and do my best. I have no doubt that there will be some cynicism about this.