Rural Ireland fell off the government agenda under Fine Gael and Labour, according to Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Agriculture Éamon Ó Cuív.
His comments come as both Fianna Fail and Fine Gael vie for support from smaller parties and independents to form a Government following last week’s General Election.
He says Fianna Fáil, which doubled its number of representatives in the Dail following the recent election, will ensure that rural Ireland is given the same employment and economic opportunities as urban areas, and that the imbalance that has been enforced by Fine Gael and Labour is halted.
Speaking following the first Fianna Fáil parliamentary party meeting of new Dáil term, Deputy Ó Cuív said the decline of Rural Ireland cannot be allowed to continue.
Fianna Fáil, he said is committed to supporting the development of rural parish communities and balanced regional development.
Eamon Ó Cuív
Fianna Fail priorities
“We have committed to introducing a senior Cabinet post with responsibility for community support and development to ensure that rural Ireland has a voice at the Cabinet table. This will guarantee that the five years of neglect of rural Ireland, and the unbalanced policy development spearheaded by Fine Gael and Labour in office is reversed.
“Fianna Fáil has a clear plan to revitalise rural Ireland. We will create the conditions to encourage employment in local businesses in the regions, firstly by rolling out fibre broadband to every home and business across the country and then by implementing our ambitious plan to create 30,000 jobs in rural Ireland.
“We will improve public services in rural areas through a community services guarantee, which would set universal standards for schools, health facilities, social services and Gardai.
“We will also restore the CLÁR programme, which will ensure that vital infrastructure like water, electricity and roads funding. This will help improve the quality of the road network in rural areas and thereby improving accessibility.
“Our party is committed to a balanced and fair recovery, delivering jobs and growth to all communities and ensuring every citizen has the same opportunity to prosper, regardless of geographic location. Fianna Fáil will support rural Ireland”.