Green light for new rural plan

Ireland: A new national rural development plan is to be prepared by the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs in conjunction with the Department of Agriculture and Food.

A consultation programme to prepare the ground for the plan will begin immediately with the Government having until next March to submit the programme to the European Commission.

Organisations, agencies and bodies with an interest in rural development will be consulted over the next few months and the feedback is expected to impact significantly in the shape of the plan.