Rural think tank to offer new vision

IRISH Rural Link (IRL), the national advocacy group for rural communities, has launched a rural think tank.

It aims to provide new thinking and a new vision for rural Ireland in the 21st century.

IRL said this project is being established in the face of a lack of coherent policy and action in certain key rural areas.

The project and its inaugural meeting will be co-ordinated by IRL in conjunction with Tipperary Institute and will be run with the support of Carnegie UK Trust Rural Development Commission.

IRL chief executive Seamus Boland said the project is a forward-thinking step by both groups, who expect it to add significantly to the debate on rural Ireland.

“We want to provide an open space for key thinking and dialogue on issues that affect rural communities as well as aiding policy makers in dealing with difficult rural matters.”

He said rural Ireland expects a better deal from decision makers in local and national government.

Head of sustainable rural development in Tipperary Institute, Ciaran Lynch, said there are some very basic and key questions that need to be asked before progressing on to some of the so-called bigger questions.

“These include defining what we mean by sustainable rural communities and how to measure quality-of-life issues. This is about providing a vision for rural communities and rural Ireland in general so we can then begin to put in place measures that are adequate and appropriate for rural areas,” he said.