Rural economic development group to be chaired by GAA pundit Spillane

The Environment Minister has announced a new group aimed at generating a jobs strategy for rural Ireland.

The Commission for the Economic Development of Rural Areas will be headed up by GAA star and TV pundit Pat Spillane.

Minister Phil Hogan says the group will hold an extensive public consultation on rural Ireland's future economic potential, and how best to channel funding from next year until 2025.

He says Spillane is the ideal candidate to act as the commission's chairman as he has been a leader all his life in his sporting, professional and media careers.