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Air ambulance initiative deserves strong All-Ireland support - Clarke

Published: 11 April, 2007

Sinn Fein spokesperson on All Ireland and cross-border issues, South Down MLA Willie Clarke, has called for strong all-Ireland support to examine the development of an Air Ambulance Service at St Angelo Airport in Fermanagh.

Clarke said the project being developed by Fermanagh Council deserves "comprehensive consideration on an all-Ireland basis". He added that opportunities for Donegal Airport in Carrickfinn should be fully
explored as part of the initiative.

"This initiative is at an early stage. However, Sinn Féin believes there is considerable potential in the plan for an Air Ambulance Service being developed at St Angelo Airport.

"As the only truly all-Ireland political party, with elected representatives on every forum in the North West region, Sinn Féin is ideally placed to assist and encourage the development of plans such as this.

"In particular, I am calling for a strong all-Ireland approach - involving Councils throughout the region - to bring this initiative to the next stage. At present, I understand from Sinn Fein colleagues in Fermanagh Council that cross-party support has been given to the initiative, with a comprehensive research study about to be undertaken.

"Opportunities for Donegal Airport at Carrickfinn to become part of this initiative should be fully explored.

"Given the systematic neglect shown towards health and transport infrastructure throughout the North West region - and particularly in Donegal - a local initiative such as this shows that the region can fight back with positive proposals for the future.

"Alongside the GP 'Out of Hours' scheme recently undertaken along the North West border corridor, and the objectives set by the North South Ministerial Council in removing 'obstacles to cross-border mobility', this plan is another example of sensible planning for the North West region as a whole. It deserves comprehensive consideration on an all-Ireland basis."