Michael Harty (Clare, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister. People in rural Ireland and in the regions feel disenfranchised. There were lessons from the general election which the Government should have learned. People felt they had been cut off from the economic development of the country and that they were not benefitting from the economic recovery. We have many national organisations such as the Gaelic Athletic Association, GAA, Irish Farmers Association, IFA, Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association, ICMSA, and Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Eireann. How did the National Ploughing Championships develop? They originated in rural Ireland and they are a showcase for what is happening there. There must be sustainability in rural Ireland. I accept the matters that the Minister outlined but there must be clear implementation and a clear pathway whereby people can see the economic development and can see that the regions and urban areas are catered for equally.

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