The chair of the new Committee on Rural and Community Development has committed to creating a counter balance to the capital.
Clare Fine Gael TD Joe Carey, has been appointed by An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar to lead the new Joint Oireachtas Committee.
Deputy Carey said the Committee will ensure rural Ireland will play an active role in the nation’s future growth.
Deputy Carey said: “As a TD from a rural county with a strong involvement in community development throughout my time as a public representative, I am delighted to have been given this opportunity to chair the Oireachtas committee on Rural and Community Development.
It’s my strong belief that national policy must compliment both regional and rural policy. It’s critical for our country’s future that the imbalance created by a dominant Dublin is tackled through complementary regional and rural polices designed to create a counter balance to the capital. This type of approach will benefit not just rural Ireland but Dublin as well.”
“I am acutely aware that rural communities have suffered disproportionately from the economic downturn and I believe that the benefits of the recovery should be targeted at helping rural Ireland play an active role in the nation’s future growth. In this respect, the implementation of the Government’s Action Plan for Rural Development is vital,” Deputy Carey said.
“I am looking forward to this new challenge and I am wholly committed to ensuring the Committee’s work has a positive and beneficial impact on rural and community life,” he added.
Deputy Carey has served as a member of the joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection, the British and Irish Parliamentary Assembly and the Dáil Committee on Procedures and Privileges.
He is former Fine Gael Spokesman on Juvenile Justice and Deputy Government Chief whip.