Future of Post Office debate descended into political farce – Mattie McGrath
Independent TD Mattie McGrath has described an emergency Dáil debate on the future of the rural Post Office Network as utterly shambolic and shameful. Deputy McGrath was speaking after he and three other Dáil deputies submitted the matter for Topical Issue debate yesterday: “Given the gravity of the threat and indeed the potential fallout for […]
Rural Independent’s Dáil Motion On Road Funding Set To Receive Wide Support – Mattie McGrath
Independent TD Mattie McGrath has said there must be an urgent and sustained focus on the upgrading, safety improvement and maintenance of national, regional and secondary roads. Deputy McGrath was speaking ahead of Wednesday’s Dáil debate on a Private Members Motion on roads and roads’ funding that is being initiated by the Rural Independent Group […]
Rural Ireland needs more than Reports and speeches every few years – Mattie McGrath
Independent TD Mattie McGrath has cautiously welcomed the publication of a new Government Action Plan for Rural Ireland. Deputy McGrath was speaking ahead of the launch of the ‘Realising our Rural Potential’ Report and by Taoiseach Enda Kenny and the Minister for Rural Affairs Heather Humphrey’s later today: “From what I have seen it looks […]
Rural Ireland must not become a carcass for US Vulture Funds
Independent TD Mattie McGrath has expressed his deep concern at reports that US based Cerberus Capital Management is set to ramp up repossessions of several hundred farms in rural Ireland. Deputy McGrath was speaking after the Irish Independent Farming Section broke the news that that as many as 200 farmers may be affected since the […]
Rural Renewal Scheme’s Initial Funding Is A Pittance – McGrath
Independent TD Mattie McGrath has described the funding being made available for The Town and Village Renewal Scheme as grossly insufficient and inadequate. Deputy McGrath was speaking after the Minister for the Gaeltacht Heritage and Rural Affairs Heather Humphries indicated that up to 200 rural towns and villages with populations less than 5000 people will […]
MEP Slams Government “Publicity Stunt” On Rural Ireland
Sinn Féin MEP Matt Carthy has said that this week’s Government announcement of funding through the Town and Village Renewal Scheme goes nowhere near addressing the needs of rural Ireland and will be seen by many communities as a mere publicity stunt. Matt Carthy said: “I welcome this belated Government acknowledgement that urgent and special […]
Government’s Commitment To Rural Ireland Questioned By Decision To Row Back On Broadband Plan – IFA
IFA Environment and Rural Affairs Chairman Thomas Cooney has described the decision by the Department of Communications to delay the rollout of broadband in rural areas as “a backward step that will undermine the enterprise potential of rural Ireland and impact on thousands of farm families and rural dwellers.” “The current reality is that […]
Government’s record on rural Ireland nothing short of an insult – Ambrose
The Government’s record on rural Ireland has been nothing short of an insult, according to Tipperary general election candidate Councillor Siobhán Ambrose. The “Charter for Rural Ireland” is a rehash of existing government policies including the report of the Commission for the Economic Development of Rural Areas (CEDRA), the National Broadband Plan, Food Wise 2025 […]
Fibre Broadband Will Be A Game Changer For Rural Ireland – IFA
IFA General Secretary Pat Smith and Head of IT Development, Ethan Cleary, today met with EU Commissioner for Agriculture Phil Hogan, EU Commissioner for Regional Development Corina Crețu and Minister for Communications Alex White to highlight the need to quickly develop an affordable high-speed fibre broadband network for every home and business in rural Ireland. […]
€30m Rural Renewal Scheme Is Pathetic And Insulting
Sinn Féin MEP Matt Carthy has strongly criticised the Government’s announcement of a €30m Rural Renewal Scheme as pathetic. Speaking from the National Ploughing Championships, the Midlands North West MEP said, “The announcement of the new €30m scheme to improve rural areas hit by the economic downturn is a typical response of the Irish Government – it […]
