Partnership deal is a ‘step forward’

THE new social partnership agreement, Towards 2016, was described yesterday as a big step forward for rural Ireland and the regions.

Irish Rural Link (IRL), the national advocacy group for rural communities and one of the social partners, said it places the National Spatial Strategy at its heart.

This has the effect of ensuring that balanced regional development will be to the forefront of all policies and decisions.

And that is good news for rural areas and those living or wishing to live in rural areas, it said.

Seamus Boland, chief executive, said the deal signifies a monumental step forward for rural Ireland and the regions.

The spatial strategy will underpin decisions made in the new National Development Plan as well as other key Government decisions.

Mr Boland said the NDP will dictate the future direction of investment by the Government in key infrastructure.

Having the spatial strategy at the heart of policy making will ensure the difference between the regions will be addressed in a more fundamental and comprehensive way.

“It is equally important that this agreement has acknowledged that there is a need for differing approaches to rural housing, which has been a major bone of contention for rural communities,” he said.

Mr Boland said the agreement is a big victory for IRL members but they will now expect delivery on the commitments and that is clear from early feedback on the deal.

IRL research and communications officer Ian Russell said negotiations have been long and drawn out but there is a feeling that this deal will begin to deliver the fruits that rural communities have been waiting for over the past number of years.

“We are delighted that rural development has been given its own section in the agreement, which signifies the commitment from Government that rural communities were looking for.

“This, along side the securing of the future of the rural transport initiative is a big win for rural Ireland and one that ensures that the most vulnerable in our communities will be able to access basic services,” he said.

Agricultural aspects of the deal are to be negotiated today and tomorrow at meetings involving farm lobby members of social partnership.