Sinn Féin announce motion to deliver fair investment for rural Ireland – Clarke

Sinn Féin TD Sorca Clarke for Longford Westmeath has called on TDs to back the party’s motion in the Dáil to stand up for rural communities and ensure they receive fair and balanced investment from government.

The motion will be debated in the Dáil today, Tuesday November 9, and calls on the government to:

• introduce a statutory requirement for all government departments and public bodies to undertake rural impact assessments on their work

• provide clarity on all projects in the National Development Plan, including funding and timescales

• Commit to delivering the western rail corridor, a national aviation policy and key public transport policies

Teachta Clarke said: “People living in towns, villages and rural communities have been dismissed by government for far too long. It’s time for rural Ireland to get the support it needs to thrive and reach its full potential.

“The National Development Plan was announced last month with glossy brochures and slick press conferences, but as is so often the case with this government, it has amounted to little more than a PR exercise which will not provide the investment our regions desperately need.

“Not only did it fail to help our towns, villages and rural communities, it actually rolled back on many previous commitments.

“Several road projects outlined in the National Development Plan have had their completion dates removed, including two in this constituency, the N4 Mullingar to Longford and N52 Tullamore to Kilbeggan. There is now significant doubt about a number of road projects which are stated to be subject to approval. The failure to include a western rail corridor was a missed opportunity.

“This government has no vision for our towns, villages and rural communities. Their lack of commitment to balanced investment is clear for all to see in the National Development Plan.

“Sinn Féin is bringing this motion to stand up for our towns, villages and rural communities to ensure fair investment.

“As we know in Longford Westmeath, rural Ireland can be an incredible place to live, work and to raise a family but it needs to be given the supports necessary to thrive. The National Development Plan was scant on detail and void of ambition. It exposed how this government is out of touch, out of ideas and out of time.

“Sinn Féin’s motion is calling for fair, balanced development which means that rural Ireland is no longer left behind by this out of touch government. It is calling for clarity on the National Development Plan’s projects.

“It is long overdue that towns, villages and communities should have their fair share of investment and opportunities. Sinn Féin will stand up for our towns, villages and rural communities to ensure their voice is heard.”