New role for old creameries
This has given a boost to the construction industry as well as providing a huge amount of new housing in areas formerly derelict.
What about doing the same for rural Ireland? In West Cork, for example, Drinagh Co-op and Lisavaird Co-op have a large amount of vacant space and many closed creamery branches.
Nationwide there are hundreds of under-used or empty creamery buildings that could be put to good use.
Let us avail of them to generate employment in rural Ireland and help the co-op movement to bring them back into a new type of production for the good of the rural community.
By granting these buildings tax designation, employment, profit and industrial activity can be restored to the coountryside. The same can be said of industrial estates.
It is up to politicians and farmers to take the initiative. Hopefully, Rural Development Minister Eamon O Cuiv and Finance Minister Charlie McCreevy, will make appropriate provision for this in the December budget.
Brendan O’Donoghue,
Bellevue,
Cross Douglas Road,
Cork.
