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

At the outset, the report speaks inspiringly about the Government's vision for Ireland in 2040. From there on however, the chapters I have been able to read are pretty disappointing. I note that the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy Simon Coveney, has highlighted the benefits, or so-called benefits, that the plan has for Cork. These are only relevant to Cork city. Consider the possibility of a light rail network to Cork. Will this extend to the constituency of Cork South-West? I have been pleading for many years for light rail to come at least as far as Bandon in west Cork. I doubt this was even considered in this plan.

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There are references to improvements in public transport links to our regional cities, but what about our rural areas? My daughter works in County Longford as a childminder. Each week she travels from Schull in rural west cork to Longford, which takes 12 hours. Her journey includes a bus from west Cork to Cork city although I usually drop her to reduce her journey, a second bus from Cork to Dublin and a third bus from Dublin to Longford. A journey that should takes four hours and 20 minutes according to Google Maps takes 12 hours on public transport. That demonstrates where we are and where we are going.

It is refreshing to see our regional cities of Cork, Waterford, Limerick and Galway getting some attention other than Dublin but areas beyond that have been given little attention. Dr. Frank Crowley, of University College Cork business school, has published an article on why Project Ireland 2040 is doomed to fail. I like to support my fellow Corkmen and, although we have different reasons for thinking the project will be unsuccessful, I agree with his conclusion. The president of Cork Chamber of Commerce argued that the framework acknowledged that it was in the national interest to promote growth outside Dublin to alleviate pressure in the capital and create opportunities elsewhere. This is certainly something I agree with. Two nights ago, a Private Members' motion was dedicated to traffic issues in Dublin city and every other day we hear about housing and accommodation pressures in the capital as well as the extortionate cost of living. It would make sense to alleviate that pressure and enhance rural and under-developed areas, as Mr. Bill O'Connell said.

In reference to the south west, including my constituency, the report states: "Many of these rural areas have a high degree of self-containment, operating as significant local employment and service centres for a large rural hinterland." Without the initiative and entrepreneurship of people in west cork, we would be in a sorry state in respect of employment. Many companies and individuals have created significant employment through the years with little or no Government mandate. I visited the Ceramicx Ireland factory in Ballydehob recently. Mr. Frank Wilson and his family have had to fight the fight themselves and they have created between 50 and 60 jobs. They are dedicated to their work and their community. However, the Government still offers no help in this regard. Small business owners, publicans and postmasters are crippled by different taxes and regulations. Although it is good that Cork city has been earmarked for further development, which will hopefully have a spin-off effect on west Cork, I would have liked more attention to be given directly to the area.

West Cork is one of the best places in the country for fishing and marine activities, but little or no thought has been given to this sector I acknowledge a chapter of the report focuses on marine planning but not to the benefit of people in rural Ireland and west Cork, in particular. More money should be spent on marine infrastructure and on the many small piers and harbours that inshore fishermen operate from. These little piers and harbours are to be found all along the Wild Atlantic Way. Do the Government parties not realise what an attraction they are for tourism? Kids get to take pictures of crab and lobster. It is not just fishermen that benefit from this; this is what attracts people to these areas. The tourism revenue generated by this has a spin-off effect on rural communities. Investing in these activities would provide for real rural development. The only marine-related interest that the Government parties have in west Cork is the mechanical harvesting of kelp in Bantry Bay. This will be an environmental disaster if it goes ahead. Such harvesting will kill creatures that are living in the seaweed and fears exist that the seaweed may not grow back. Unfortunately, the Government parties, in every way, shape and form, are doing their best to support this in spite of everybody in the local community pleading with them to rescind the decision, which they can do.

Inshore fishermen were not mentioned in the plan. Does the Government have any interest in them? They provide great financial assistance to local businesses. More financial help is needed for inshore fisheries in the form of hardship money, especially during bad weather. I raised the issue over and over again following Hurricane Ophelia. Inshore fishermen pay tax the same as everybody else. The sector received no help from the Government and inshore fishermen were ignored after the hurricane. If this destruction or devastation happened anywhere else in the world, the Government would rightly send aid. With the new season fast approaching, fishermen have lost so much gear that they are trying to borrow money to replace it

I reiterate the comments of my colleague, Deputy Mattie McGrath, earlier about the abolition of town councils. We have witnessed the disastrous effect on Cork County Council of this decision. The Tánaiste highlighted the great projects that Project Ireland 2040 will bring to Cork at a breakfast briefing in the city last Monday. He included the full implementation of the MacKinnon report, which provides for the extension of the Cork city boundary to incorporate Rochestown, Grange, Glanmire, Blarney, Tower and Ballincollig into the city. This will add approximately 100,000 to its population. Members of the Rural Independent Group and I highlighted our opposition to this in a motion before Christmas. There is huge opposition to this on the ground. The Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil members of the county council opposed it. Almost everybody in the county is opposed to this but the Government parties will railroad this plan through because it is their idea and no one will stop them. This is not a surprise because they are not in touch with the common man on the ground. If they were in touch with their councillors, the plan would be scrapped. Our motion highlighted the detrimental effect the MacKinnon report would have on the county council areas that are to be moved into the city but it was narrowly defeated. That was much to the detriment of the people of Cork county.

Last Monday, the Tánaiste went on to say when addressing business people in the city that he envisions the expansion of the city by another 125,000 residents. I hope it is not intended to extend the city border as far as Bandon. I do not know where he will find all these people. Perhaps, we might be lucky and he will extend the border west of the Mizen peninsula or to the Beara peninsula, where rural people have been forgotten. The Government needs to take the people of rural Ireland into consideration.

I hope the plan has been rural-proofed.

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