Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Wednesday, 27 November 2019

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Rural and Community Development

Rural Regeneration and Development Fund: Discussion

Photo of Joe CareyJoe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I ask people to turn off their mobile phones as they interfere with the sound system and make it difficult for the parliamentary reporters to report the meeting and they also interfere with television, radio and webstreaming.

By virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of their evidence to the joint committee. However, if they are directed by it to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and continue to do so, they are entitled thereafter only to qualified privilege in respect of their evidence. They are directed that only evidence connected with the subject matter of these proceedings is to be given and asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, they should not criticise or make charges against any person or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable. Members are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that where possible they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the Houses or an official, either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

We are continuing our series of meetings on the future of small towns and villages as attractive places to live in, work and visit. The €1 billion rural regeneration and development fund is designed to support economic and social development and to address depopulation outside of urban areas. The fund will also encourage enterprise development in rural towns and villages and outlying areas with a population of fewer than 10,000. We also want to hear about the type of organisations applying for funding, the areas where projects are being funded, and the type of projects being funded. We will seek an update on how much money has been allocated through the fund to date and future plans.

I welcome Ms Sheenagh Rooney, assistant secretary in the corporate affairs and strategic development division, Mr. Eddie Forsyth, principal officer in the rural fund and corporate support unit, and Ms Fiona Creegan, assistant principal in the rural fund and corporate support unit.

It is proposed that opening statements, submissions and other documents submitted to the committee by witnesses or any other body that relate to the meeting be published on the committee's website. Is that agreed? Agreed. I invite Ms Rooney to make her opening statement.

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