Ann Phelan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I will preface my contribution to the debate by explaining my role as Minister of State with responsibility for rural affairs. While I am not directly responsible for issues arising inside the farm gate, I do have a supportive function. Specifically, my role is to co-ordinate the work of the many agencies and Departments operating in this space. I have a strong personal and ministerial interest in energising rural communities. My focus is to develop systems and frameworks which will support the economic development of rural Ireland into the future and provide opportunities for rural dwellers to remain living and working in those areas if they so wish. Rural communities have this Government's full commitment to doing all it can to support job creation and develop vibrant, dynamic rural economies and communities.

There are many challenges involved in progressing these objectives. One of my main tasks is to achieve a heightened awareness of the challenges that exist and ensure all Departments and

support agencies are fully aware that rural communities have real potential but need support to achieve it. I will seek to ensure agency plans are tailored to provide the necessary support and assistance and that they rural proof all their development plans. I take this opportunity to congratulate my constituency colleague, the former Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Phil Hogan, on his appointment to the European Commission. We look forward to working closely with him.

A major element of my remit is to implement the report of the commission for the economic development of rural areas, CEDRA. That report was jointly commissioned by the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government and the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine in September 2012 and launched by the Taoiseach on 14 April this year. The independent commission, which comprised a wide-ranging group of individual and bodies, carried out a tremendous body of work last year. The report contains 34 recommendations to support the medium-term economic development of rural areas for the period to 2025, including actions to be taken on enterprise development, tourism, broadband, artisan food and beverages, social enterprise, creative industry, capacity building and skills, regional roads, rural transport, water services, marine and renewable energy. It was a very wide brief.

As part of its work the commission sought and considered the views of the public and stakeholders. It hosted general public meetings, town hall meetings and meetings with key stakeholders, leaders of the business community and experts.

In total, more than 100 meetings were held and more than 1,000 contributions were made to the commission, resulting in a report that is grounded in solid foundation and, more importantly, reflects the strong beliefs, knowledge and experiences of committed and engaged rural communities. One of the main findings is that generally rural areas and small towns did not benefit to the same extent as larger towns from the Celtic tiger boom. Equally, there is very mixed evidence on the extent to which rural areas are experiencing any of the current uplift. The report shows that rural areas have been particularly affected by the deep economic crisis and were adversely affected by high unemployment, resulting in a huge deficit in rural communities. The impact is still visible nationwide with closed shops, the steady flow of emigrants and the resulting impact on the community and on cultural life.

An important message from this report is that we should increase awareness of the importance of the rural economy in driving forward this country. What this report was about was discovering the potential that exists in rural Ireland so that the dwellers in rural Ireland can participate in this economic recovery. It was not about rural Ireland whinging about what it does not have but about rural Ireland being able to step up to the plate and participate in its recovery.

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