Mr. Aidan Campbell:

I will make a couple of quick points as I know we are running out of time. I agree with many of the points made by members this morning. We were asked what needs to be done to address rural depopulation. As Deputy Penrose indicated, connectivity is crucial to halt rural depopulation. Investment is required in road infrastructure, broadband and the type of connectivity that allows businesses to develop and thrive. The M1, which is close to me previously stopped in Dungannon and was extended as a dual carriageway to the Ballygawley roundabout, which is about 20 miles of roadway. The villages and businesses within a 15 mile radius of the road have increased in the past 15 to 20 years because they are more attractive as commuter towns for people working in Portadown, Craigavon and in the city. Opening up rural communities to an opportunity to connect is crucial. The businesses in those areas have grown. The promotion of and investment in connectivity is most important.

One specific thing the committee could do in the context of the LEADER programme is to write to officials in the Department, or even to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, DEFRA, in Westminster to ask about their future plans for a rural development programme. We do not have an equivalent committee currently in the North. As a neighbouring jurisdiction, Ireland has an interest in terms of development co-operation. The rural development programme in the Republic will go through change as the Common Agricultural Policy changes. It would be a practical step to ask what the plans are for rural development post Brexit.