Higgins resignation a blow for western
development
14 May 1997
By TOM SHIEL
The high powered campaign to halt depopulation and boost the economic fortunes of the west of Ireland was dealt a blow today with the shock resignation of the Acting Chief Executive of the Western Development Commission, Mr. John Higgins.
Mr. Higgins tendered his resignation to the Minister for Western Development, Mr. Donal Carey.
The campaign to improve the economic fortunes of the western seaboard region from Donegal to Clare was started by the western Bishops in the earlier part of this decade.
Mr. Higgins, a dynamic individual in his forties, continued the process which commenced with the Bishops' initiative and the resultant Government Task Force Report on the crisis.
The main thrusts of the Government response has been to establish a Western Development Commission and a £100 million Western Investment Fund.
Mr. Higgins, a brother of Govt Chief Whip, Mr. Jim Higgins TD, served as CEO of the old Western Development Board and has been Acting Chief Executive of the Western Development Commission which was set up in January last.
Mr. Higgins' departure is regarded as a blow for the future of western development because of the forceful manner in which he dealt with bureaucracy on a national level.
He is not commenting on his decision to resign other than to state that he is considering a number of options within the private sector.
