Greater focus on rural Ireland is now needed

BALANCED economic recovery must be a key Government objective and this requires a greater focus on, and investment in, rural Ireland.

The comment was made by IFA president Eddie Downey at the National Economic Dialogue in Dublin Castle recently. ‘While there has been an improvement in the public finances, hard choices must be made on where available resources are directed, and the sectors that can deliver a significant return, particularly to the struggling rural economy,’ he said. ‘Budgetary decisions must recognise the importance of funding for farm schemes as a vital stimulus to the rural economy, underpinning the viability of family farms and providing direct and indirect employment across the entire country.’

He added that investment in rural enterprises outside of the main urban areas must be a strategic focus for Government.

‘There is a real need for a Rural Charter to support farming and the wider rural economy,’ the president of the farming body said.

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