Frank Feighan (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am delighted to have this opportunity to speak about the Action Plan for Rural Development. At the heart of this plan is a clear and targeted commitment to improve the lives of those living and working in rural areas. This is the first time we have had a comprehensive action plan to support and revitalise rural Ireland, an action for which I compliment the Minister. I know she is passionate about the need to champion the case of rural communities. This action plan is determined to ensure rural communities have increased opportunities for work and access to public services and social networks to support a high quality of life. On the main streets of many towns and villages, including mine, there used to be thriving businesses and everybody lived above the premises. On the main street of my town there were at least 150 people living over the shops, including parents and children. The current number could be as low as two or three. There are many opportunities, facilities and buildings in every town and village that could well be utilised for housing and other measures. The retailers on the streets in question are under tremendous pressure owing to out-of-town shopping in stores such as Lidl, Aldi and Tesco. There certainly needs to be smaller, indigenous, artisan trades which could be given tax incentives. The Minister is examining all of these measures which I very much welcome.

The action plan contains five key pillars, with the aim of improving the social and economic fabric of rural communities. The objectives of supporting sustainable communities, enterprise and employment and fostering culture and creativity in rural areas are very much a plus. Other objectives are maximising rural tourism and recreation potential and improving road infrastructure and connectivity. Before I became involved in politics, I lived near Lough Key Forest Park which in the 1970s was a significant tourist attraction. I was chairman of the Lough Key Forest Park action group. With the local authority and Coillte, we drew down €12 million to €15 million in EU regional investment funds. Some €15 million has been spent on Lough Key Forest Park which is a jewel of tourism in the country and attracting tens of thousands of visitors. It was rated as the sixth most important visitor attraction in the country. It has 50 people employed and Moylurg Rockingham, a partnership between Roscommon County Council and Coillte, made €200,000. The development killed about five birds with the one stone. It was initially said they did not own the park and that it was owned by Coillte. I brought the various interested parties together, including Roscommon County Council, and we drew down €2 million. That loan has been repaid and we now own the park.

Unfortunately, in my town, Boyle, which is only two or three miles from the park the two hotels are closed. Hotels were built in towns and villages all around the country, but the town that actually needs a hotel does not have one. I acknowledge that we missed the boom times or the Celtic tiger, but we desperately need a flagship hotel. Considerable work has been done through the local town teams in Castlerea, Boyle and Ballaghaderreen, where Senator Maura Hopkins is from. They are great initiatives and take politics out of the equation. They do not involve the chamber of commerce or the town council. The town teams are the way forward in working with the council. However, we do not have a hotel. Unless there is some tax incentive or major stimulus to get somebody to build and operate a hotel, we will have huge problems. There are many towns similar to Boyle, but I am mentioning it as one example. The forest park is a mile and a half from it, but we do not have the facilities to bring in tourists. The local hotel, the Royal Hotel, which is ancient is for sale, but it is effectively a site. Nobody in his or her right mind would buy it, unless he or she was given considerable assistance through tax incentives or grants. If these were made available, it would improve the tourism fabric. There is tourism potential. Boyle Abbey is a 12th century Cistercian abbey. We have King House, on which we worked very closely with former President Mary McAleese who has donated gifts to it. However, we do not have the flagship hotel to attract tourists. They come in but drive out. I know that this is an area in which the Minister absolutely believes.

There is no hotel in Ballaghaderreen and Castlerea. Thankfully, there is one in Strokestown. We need tourism infrastructure. Ballaghaderreen is beside Lough Gara, while Castlerea is beside Clonalis House. A hotel is not just for tourists. It provides a facility for weddings or funerals and is a place where people can go for a coffee. We need that infrastructure. I acknowledge the Minister is passionately interested, but this is one aspect we need to have sorted out.