Rose Conway-Walsh (Mayo, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

As we work our way out of the turmoil of this pandemic, the entire EU project faces an extraordinary test. There are opportunities, however, not only to address the democratic deficit that contributed to Brexit but also to reshape many aspects of our society and of the whole of our island. The EU has a major and crucial role to play in this transition, and the EU financial support package, the suspension of the Stability and Growth Pact, the temporary relaxing of state aid rules, the Common Agricultural Policy, CAP, transition regulation, and the next CAP programmes have to be used to invigorate the regions. Now is the time to place balanced regional development and rural Ireland firmly front and centre of EU and Government policy by identifying and implementing rural solutions to national problems.

All too often we in rural Ireland hear about the millions and billions of euro that are made available, but it is always out of our reach because of too much bureaucracy and too many unidentified beneficiaries. To that end I have grave concerns about the high interest rates being charged by banks when, globally, interest rates are so low. It is unthinkable that the banks would again capitalise on the backs of ordinary people. During this pandemic, focus has been put on the fact that 40% of the population live in Dublin, while 44% work there.

Only a fool would consider this imbalance to be sustainable or safe. Investment policies driven by population numbers do not work. We can no longer miss out on the opportunities to deepen and widen the lengths between education and industry or to forgo opportunities for remote working and learning because we do not have equal access to broadband and telecommunications. We are losing out so much on human capital, denying children with autism, parents of children with autism and those living with disabilities the opportunities to develop and use their abilities and talents to their full potential.

The economic recovery must include the fast-tracking of critical physical telecommunications infrastructure as well as introducing fairness into our fishing and agriculture industries. We must ensure we proactively pursue all monetary opportunities as well as using the fiscal instruments available to direct industry and job creation. The long-promised strategic development zone at Knock Airport must be advanced as a matter of urgency and the airport itself must be enabled to reach its full potential as a catalyst for growth in the west. The EU Commission proposal to make 2021 the year of rail presents us with opportunities to bring the western rail corridor to fruition and to upgrade existing rail lines. We now have an opportunity to reconfigure our health services to provide equality of access to all of our citizens, no matter where we live. To squander this crisis would be a travesty. The crisis inevitably brings about change but progress is optional.

As this is my maiden speech, I sincerely thank the people of Mayo for placing their trust in me and in Sinn Féin. I assure them this seat belongs to them and I will use it wisely.

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