Commission to hear rural voices on development

A commission is to carry out an extensive public consultation on the economic potential of rural Ireland and how best to channel funding between 2013 and 2025.

Environment Minister Phil Hogan, announcing the move at the ploughing championships, said the Rural Commission will start its work this month.

It will visit rural communities over the next eight months to gather opinions on what initiatives should be carried out to stimulate economic growth and create jobs in their areas.