Pat Forkan, outgoing Director of Planning and Environmental Services, sees the development of Sligo Port and the promotion of cultural tourism as key aspects for our future

The development of the port area is a key development in terms of the future development of our city, as this key resource can be the catalyst for other renewal and regeneration projects.

We have to plan in the context of Sligo city growing to a population of 40,000. New access will be provided by a bridge linking the northern routes to the N4 and N17, allowing for easy passage for those who wish to visit or by-pass the city. Fairness and transparency must lie at the heart of the planning process, and we constantly monitor and review the way we engage with applicants and their agents. Our primary role is to actively promote development of a high standard, and I think this is reflected in the developments being delivered throughout our county.

We have to ensure in any development that we take great care of our environment and to safeguard it for future generations. I believe the effective combination of education and deterrence can make a real difference to protecting our beautiful landscape. We have the responsibility of being the custodians of our fragile environment, and this is a challenge for each and every one of us.

I firmly believe Sligo has almost limitless potential in the area of Cultural Tourism. The unique legacy of the Yeats brothers, and their special association with Sligo, facilitates the promotion of our county as a prime destination for the increasingly mobile, affluent and curious cultural tourist. Sligo also boasts a wealth of scenic amenities. Our coastal landscape alone, centered on our three blue flag beaches, attracts thousands of appreciative visitors each year. If we safeguard and promote our amenities in an environmentally sustainable manner, we will make greater inroads into the tourist market in 2007 and beyond.

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