By Conor Sharkey

2008 will be the year when economic neglect west of the Bann will finally be assigned to history, MP Pat Doherty said this week.

Mr Doherty put issues including health, investment and education at the top of his agenda when outlining his vision for Strabane over the next 12 months.

Looking firstly at plans to upgrade the A5 Road to dual carriageway status, Mr Doherty vowed to continue pressing DRD Minister Conor Murphy to ensure the timeframe laid out for the project is adhered to.

Mr Doherty also promised that this year would see the full potential of the North West Gateway Initiative realised. The cross-border project was established in 2006 to help with the regeneration of the local economy through integrated planning and well-structured investment.

Turning to health facilities across the North West, the MP said: "Along with other Sinn Fein representatives in the North West, we will be continuing the campaign for the development of a satellite cancer centre in the region. The campaign has forced the issue firmly onto the North/South Health Ministerial agenda and we will be continuing with our efforts until we receive a firm commitment and timeframe for this essential facility to become operational.

"I will also be meeting with Western Health and Social Services officials in the next few weeks to press for bringing forward the timetable for outreaching of additional medical services like x-ray provision into the main local health centres."

WIth regards to the recent increase in suicides among young people, Mr Doherty added: "Suicide is the biggest killer of our young people on this island and the tragic deaths of three more young Strabane people at the end of last year has highlighted the gaps not only in terms of 24 hour help line provision in Strabane District and in local mental health provision but also the continued absence of a national strategy that will promote an integrated, fully resourced, and holistic prevention strategy across all 32 counties of our nation. This year, a priority focus must be brought to the issue of suicide and its prevention and Sinn Fein will be continuing to keep the issue at the top of the political agenda both north and south."

Other issues to be looked at over the coming year include finding a replacement for the 11+ and the lack of social housing.

"There remain other vital areas of work to be completed around the Good Friday Agreement - specifically in the areas of the Bill of Rights; equality; the Irish Language, the north-south bodies and the transfer of power on policing and justice.

"During 2008, Sinn Fein will not be deflected from the task of bringing about further positive political, social and economic change and from the task of ensuring that the trajectory continues towards greater all-Ireland harmonisation, integration and ultimate reunification," Mr Doherty said.