Budget should preserve fabric of rural life, say Sinn Féin

Government policy must be rural proofed to ensure that the maximum number of people are kept on the land and to preserve the fabric of rural life.

That’s the view of Sinn Féin which has called on the new Minister of State for Rural Affairs Ann Phelan to ensure that this is done in the upcoming budget

Senator Trevor Ó Clochartaigh said decisions should be examined before being put into effect.

This was to ensure that they do not adversely impact on rural areas and are actually to the advantage of rural Ireland, he said.

Minister Phelan said she is very conscious of her role in energising rural communities and raising awareness of specific challenges they face.

“I am fully committed to doing all that I can to assist economic development and stimulate job creation in rural areas,” she said.

Minister Phelan recently chaired the inaugural meeting of the Inter-Departmental Group (IDG) tasked with implementing the report of the Commission for the Economic Development of Rural Areas (CEDRA.

She said she intends over the next few meetings to identify priority recommendations and develop clear implementable actions to assist rural economic development.