Michael Collins (Cork South West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

In its very Title, the Bill acknowledges that rural Ireland is on a lesser footing than urban Ireland. That said, it is a very positive starting point from which to focus on where the inequalities lie and, thereafter, how they can be addressed. I welcome the Rural Equality Bill, which proposes to look at the impact of all legislation which comes before the House in respect of the social and economic status of people in rural areas. As we know, there are currently huge inequalities between those living in rural and urban areas. The Bill seeks to address them.

The Rural Equality Bill attempts to ensure that the laws we pass in this Parliament give people in rural areas equal access to everything. First and foremost, a robust roads budget must be put in place to ensure there is a proper road network, including an annual repairs and maintenance programme. Effective mobile phone coverage throughout all rural areas is a matter that must be addressed. Nationally, high-speed broadband must be rolled out as a matter of priority if we are to bridge the blatant inequalities that exist between urban and rural Ireland. It would provide a level playing field for businesses which might be contemplating a move to rural Ireland. The Bill will rural-proof major Government policies and strategies by taking into account how rural communities are impacted upon by Government decisions and, where appropriate, ensuring that adjustments are made. The awareness that policy adjustments must be made for urban and rural areas to coexist and thrive will, hopefully, address the differences in rural and urban services and the need to make provision for both.

We must be aware that it is vital for rural communities to retain their small schools, shops, Garda stations, post offices, banks, community hospitals, rural transport and other vital services. I envisage that the Bill will look at ways to secure the future of these services and ensure the sustainability of rural communities. It is essential to give our fishing industry a high level of support as an important source of economic activity in remote coastal regions. Farmers are the backbone of rural communities and every measure should be taken to protect their futures, in particular those of farming families in disadvantaged areas on our islands and peninsulas. The lack of public transport in rural Ireland is an issue the Bill must address as a matter of urgency. Adequate public transport is particularly important for older people to ensure access to services and facilities and their engagement in social activities. Proper transport links would provide economic and social benefits.

A large percentage of our rural population does not live in towns or villages. People are dispersed in townlands, which means they have to travel long distances to the nearest hospitals. This is particularly evident in west Cork where Bantry General Hospital, the only remote rural hospital in Ireland, serves a population of 82,000 people, many of whom live on the three remote peninsulas and islands along the Cork coastline. In July 2013, as part of the reconfiguration of acute hospital services in Cork and Kerry, the casualty department of Bantry General Hospital was closed between the hours of 8 p.m. and 8 a.m. As a result, casualty patients have to travel long journeys of sometimes up to three hours by ambulance to Cork University Hospital, CUH. We are all aware of the overcrowding problem which continues to get worse in CUH. I propose that the Rural Equality Bill will encourage the Department of Health to review the reconfiguration plan and, perhaps, make suitable adjustments which mean the reopening of the casualty department at Bantry General Hospital.

The Commission for the Economic Development of Rural Areas, CEDRA, report of April 2014 recommends a series of actions by Government Departments to support the long-term sustainable development of rural Ireland. Along with the Action Plan for Rural Development, the report could form the blueprint for realising the potential of resources of our rural communities.

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