DINNY McGINLEY’S Department of Heritage has refused to withdraw the sale of foreign spring water from Glenveagh National Park.
In a statement the department has admitted being inundated with complaints from Irish visitors – because the tea room and the restaurant at the site is selling bottled spring water imported all the way from WALES!
But it says the Princes Gate drink will stay on sale – and an Irish alternative will be offered from next week.
“The position is that the catering outlets at Glenveagh National Park are operated by way of an out-sourced contract concession. The bottled water currently on sale is a quality, attractive product that is produced in Wales,” said a spokesman.
“In response to customer feedback, the operator will arrange to have an Irish sourced bottled water product available shortly as an alternative choice.
“Tap water is also available freely at the catering outlets.”
The Glebe Gallery has ditched the Welsh water and started offering bottled Irish water yesterday afters similar complaints.
Deputy Pearse Doherty insisted the government departments and their semi-state bodies should buy Irish.
In a statement he said: “I don’t understand how we can ask tourists from home and abroad to come to Donegal and then sell them bottled water from another country when so many local alternatives are there.
“We either want to support Irish jobs or we don’t and it appears the people running the catering at Glenveagh have taken a decision which has irked many many people.”