‘Sense of hope needed’ for Mayo - Burke

‘Sense of hope needed’


New Council Cathaoirleach makes job creation top priority

Anton McNulty

THE new Cathaoirleach of Mayo County Council has called on the county to foster a pro-enterprise and pro-development culture in order to sustain and create jobs in the future.
Ballinrobe-based Fine Gael councillor Michael Burke was yesterday elected to the post of Cathaoirleach of Mayo County Council and made the creation and maintenance of jobs his top priority. A self-employed businessman, Cllr Burke said it was imperative that people are given a sense of hope and is looking to meet with the major employers to discuss their requirements.
“Jobs for our people are currently the most pressing issue. Jobs, I have learned, are a bit like votes – they are got in ones and must be cultivated and minded. I come to the post of Cathaoirleach as a self-employed business person with long experience of good times, and not-so-good times. I am acutely aware of the difficulties faced by all businesses in the current difficult economic turmoil.
“I realise that, as a county, we faced difficulties before and overcame adversity. I feel that as leaders and administrators we must explore our resources and foster a pro-enterprise and pro-development culture in this county. To further these objectives, I am asking the County Manager to arrange a meeting with the major employers in Mayo to discuss their requirements going forward,” he said.
The major employers in Mayo are the US multi-national companies and while Cllr Burke recognised the major contribution they have made to providing sustainable industrial jobs in the county, he stressed the county could no longer rely on them to provide employment.
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