Bank of Ireland Closure of Branches a Slap in the Face for Rural Ireland – IFA
IFA President Tim Cullinan said today’s announcement from Bank of Ireland is very disappointing news for farming and rural communities. “This comes as a slap in the face to farmers and rural communities who rely on local branches for banking services. We estimate that over 80% of the branches identified for closure are in […]
New Research Shows Volunteers Making Major Impact In Rural Communities
A new report published by Volunteer Ireland and NUI Galway explores how volunteering impacts the development and sustainability of rural communities. The report was launched at NUI Galway to mark National Volunteering Week (14th – 20thMay) by Minister Sean Kyne TD, Minister of State for Rural Affairs and Natural Resources and Pat Spillane, Ambassador for the Action Plan […]
IFA Meets UK Farm Leaders On Shared Brexit Concerns
With a year to go to ‘Brexit Day’, March 29th 2019, IFA President Joe Healy has warned rapid progress in the withdrawal agreement negotiations is needed to avoid a disastrous no-deal scenario and UK cheap food policy. Joe Healy said, “While the transition period agreed earlier this month gives some certainty, that will only […]
National Planning Framework is ‘Dublin- Centric’ and lacks ambition for Rural Ireland – IFA
IFA Environment Chairman Thomas Cooney has described the draft National Planning Framework developed by Government as “Dublin-centric and lacking ambition for rural Ireland.” Thomas Cooney said, “The Government’s aspiration to develop a planning framework out to 2040 in a balanced and coherent way fails rural Ireland, particularly in the addressing following four areas: the decline […]
Increased Tax On Motor Fuel Would Damage Ireland – IPIA
The companies who import and distribute petrol and diesel have written to the Minister for Finance urging him resist attempts to increase excise on motor fuels as this would damage our competitiveness and hit rural Ireland particularly hard. The Department of Finance Tax Strategy Group has pointed out that excise rates on petrol and diesel […]
Government’s Commitment To Rural Ireland Questioned By Decision To Row Back On Broadband Plan – IFA
IFA Environment and Rural Affairs Chairman Thomas Cooney has described the decision by the Department of Communications to delay the rollout of broadband in rural areas as “a backward step that will undermine the enterprise potential of rural Ireland and impact on thousands of farm families and rural dwellers.” “The current reality is that […]
Fibre Broadband Will Be A Game Changer For Rural Ireland – IFA
IFA General Secretary Pat Smith and Head of IT Development, Ethan Cleary, today met with EU Commissioner for Agriculture Phil Hogan, EU Commissioner for Regional Development Corina Crețu and Minister for Communications Alex White to highlight the need to quickly develop an affordable high-speed fibre broadband network for every home and business in rural Ireland. […]
€30m Rural Renewal Scheme Is Pathetic And Insulting
Sinn Féin MEP Matt Carthy has strongly criticised the Government’s announcement of a €30m Rural Renewal Scheme as pathetic. Speaking from the National Ploughing Championships, the Midlands North West MEP said, “The announcement of the new €30m scheme to improve rural areas hit by the economic downturn is a typical response of the Irish Government – it […]
Rural Ireland Has To Share In Economic Recovery – IFA President Tells Politicians On Opening Day Of Ploughing Championships
Speaking at the opening day of the Ploughing Championships in Ratheniska, Co Laois, IFA President Eddie Downey said the Association would be sending a clear message to all politicians visiting the IFA stand: Government action is needed to ensure the economic recovery in Dublin and the main cities is fully reflected throughout rural Ireland. […]
“LEADER Creates 1,246 Jobs for Rural Ireland and Supports 3,320 Enterprises”
Figures included in the upcoming publication “Follow the LEADER: Paths to Success – LEADER bringing out the best in rural Ireland” reveal that €87 million has been invested into the rural economy through the LEADER element of the Rural Development Programme since 2009. This funding has been used to support over 3,320 local enterprises and […]
