Michael Comiskey (Fine Gael)

I welcome the Minister of State to the House. I raise the issue of the setting up of a rural development forum or commission, to look after issues in rural areas, in light of the rural development programme from 2014 to 2020. As many issues affect us in rural areas it is important there are structures in place to examine the problems going forward. It is clear from the rural development programme there is a massive opportunity to create jobs in the agriculture and tourism sectors. The Leader companies in each county do wonderful work. If there was somebody to assist and guide them on their way it would be valuable. Issues such as rural resettlement and school closures would come within its remit because it all relates to rural areas. I await the Minister's response.