“Stunning” response from Taoiseach after rural Ireland concerns raised

Roscommon-Galway TD Claire Kerrane has said that the Taoiseach’s “dismissive response” to the realities facing rural Ireland and fears for its future are “way out of touch”.

Teachta Kerrane raised the issue with the Taoiseach in the Dáil today, with the Sinn Féin TD describing the Taoiseach’s response as “stunning”.

Deputy Kerrane said that yesterday, young people from all around Ireland in Macra na Feirme set off from Athy to walk 14 hours to Government Buildings.

She said that they are taking a stand for a future in rural Ireland.

“Macra are raising eight main issues, including a lack of affordable housing, sparse healthcare services, lack of public transport, a lack of planning for rural communities informed by rural people and imposition of quotas on Young Farmers when it comes to supports,” the Sinn Féin TD said.

Kerrane raised this with An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and told him that young people are sending a clear message to his Government.

“In response, the Taoiseach told me that rural Ireland was actually doing alright which he based on the fact that populations have increased in rural counties,” she said.

“This is well and good however, the services have not followed. We have not seen an increase in affordable housing, none in most Counties in fact, no increase in healthcare and public transport remains non-existent in many parts.

“Macra members aren’t walking 14 hours for the good of their health. This attitude from the Taoiseach that ‘everything is rosy in rural Ireland’ is patronising and dismissive. It is also inaccurate, as people from rural communities have outlined time and time again as they call for government support to tackle the issues affecting them.”