Timmy Dooley (Fianna Fail)

For too long, the rural parts of Ireland have experienced a brain drain, with the brightest and best from all over the country moving to the big towns and cities. That is where the jobs are and where people have had to go for further education. Many Members were part of that process.

There is a significant cost to society, particularly in rural areas, as a result of these necessities. Rural areas are dying a slow death; the rural community is haemorrhaging and there is no sign of this stopping. That is what the discussion should be about. I listened to the Minister's speech with great interest. I have no doubt that he is committed to ensuring that this decline stops, but it is incumbent on everyone in the House and outside to become involved in that active debate. I agree with Senator O'Toole that this is something we should discuss on an ongoing basis.

The statistics from the census of 2002 show the scale of the problem. One need only look at the figures represented on a map to realise the staggering effect of depopulation since the previous census. This is a disturbing fact and we should bear it in mind.

The west has experienced some of the greatest decline in population and County Clare, in particular, has experienced acute problems. Large rural areas of County Clare have experienced a drop in population. For example, the population of Carn dropped by 16%, Mount Elva by 24%, Kilmaley by 9% and Mullagh by 10.5%. That decline can be contrasted with the Ennis urban region, which has seen an increase in population of some 24%. The figures indicate the scale of the problem with regard to County Clare, but other counties along the western seaboard have had a similar experience and the Leas-Chathaoirleach will have seen major decline in his area as the population moves towards Galway city.

There is a real problem in rural communities and steps must be taken to counteract it. While the Government should be commended for the national development plan, the national spatial strategy – we are well aware of the Minister's involvement in that – and the steps being put in place to reverse the continuing drift of the population towards Dublin and the surrounding areas, we need to take greater steps to keep our rural communities intact.