Madam, - Congratulations Dr Daniel McGinley, Moville GP, for highlighting the plight of his patients from Inishowen, Co Donegal. Historically, this part of Donegal has always had a focus towards the "North", being a natural hinterland of Derry.
The populace of Inishowen are not even served by Bus Éireann and are dependent on a private service, Lough Swilly, for a transport lifeline.
There is no rail link to this part of the country.
I lived in Inishowen for 10 years and can reliably state that it is one of the most under-served and cut-off parts of the State.
They lost their hard working Fianna Fáil TD, Cecilia Keaveney (now a senator) in the last election and FF TD Jim McDaid does not effectively represent them on local issues, being located about 50 miles away in Letterkenny.
In any case he is effectively out of favour with the current Fianna Fáil party leadership, and like Ned O'Keeffe, does not hold a junior ministerial position.
For many years, it has been the third-level institutions of Northern Ireland that have served the educational needs of the majority of Inishowen residents who require access to further education.
To their credit, Donegal County Council pays the fees and provides maintenance grants for those most in need.
Surely it is now high time that we adopt an "All Ireland" model, as equal members of the EU, that allows the citizens of Inishowen to access the full range of medical services in Derry and Belfast that they so desperately need.
I agree with Dr McGinley, regarding Galway being 300 km away - it is effectively a two-day journey with overnight stays required by those seeking to access medical services and treatment.
All citizens of the State should have equal access to essential services and should not be disadvantaged just because they live in an isolated (but stunningly beautiful) part of the country.
- Yours, etc,
NOEL MacENTEE, Milford, Carlow.