Sinn Féin spokesperson on Agriculture, Martin Kenny, has said that Fine Gael have spent the past five years attacking Rural Ireland.

He added that Sinn Féin has an ambitious plan to develop regional Ireland, unlocking its substantial economic capacity, and that a Sinn Féin government will stand up for rural Ireland and develop the critical infrastructure, services and supports for farmers, businesses, and workers that is badly needed.

Martin Kenny said:

“Today Fine Gael launched proposals for rural regeneration but in government Fine Gael spent the past five years attacking rural Ireland.

“The impact of Fine Gael’s policies in relation to carbon tax and excise duties hikes have had a punitive effect on rural communities who have no choice but to use cars to get to the shops, to bring their children to school and to go to work. 

“Fine Gael is refusing to adopt a 9% vat rate for the non-accommodation hospitality sector. This sector is a hugely important employer in the regions and small cafes, pubs, restaurants will continue closing without a 9% Vat rate.

“Fine Gael has done nothing to protect the family farm model. Given the critical role that agriculture plays in rural economies, and the paltry supports which Fine Gael are offering family farmers, it’s hard to believe they really care at all about the economic wellbeing of rural Ireland. They have also completely failed to deal with the issue of the ‘Forgotten Farmers’.

“Fine Gael have refused to commit to the full restoration of the Western Rail Corridor.

“In government they have abjectly failed to create a balanced economy.

“They have made promises of investment and regional development time and time again but have failed to deliver. We see these right across the towns and villages of rural Ireland.

“Sinn Féin has an ambitious plan to develop regional Ireland, unlocking its substantial economic capacity. However, this requires a substantial increase in housing and infrastructure across the country.

“It requires investing in services such as healthcare and childcare, and it means enterprise policies that will attract high-skilled employment to rural Ireland.

“It means accelerating the delivery of the National Broadband Plan to increase connectivity of rural Ireland.

“These are all vital aspects of regional development on which Fine Gael have failed to deliver, so we can’t believe their promises now.

“In government, Sinn Féin will stand up for rural Ireland and develop the critical infrastructure, services and supports for farmers, businesses, and workers that is badly needed.”