Fine Gael TD for Limerick, Patrick O’Donovan has welcomed the announcement by the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government, Phil Hogan TD that Pat Spillane will be the Chairman of the new Commission for the Economic Development of Rural Areas (CEDRA).
Patrick O’Donovan had proposed at a meeting of the Fine Gael Parliamentary Party that a commission be established under an independent chairperson to examine the needs of rural communities and the barriers to industrial and economic activity.
Patrick O’Donovan said that the initiative was badly needed in rural area because unemployment has increased more in rural areas particularly in small towns since the economic crisis began, with a large portion of the figure being related to the collapse of the building industry.
The new Commission will involve 3 stages including; a nationwide consultation of rural stakeholders including employers, unions, farm bodies, community organisation and the public sector, research and analysis of economic factors affecting rural areas and the preparation of a report supporting the medium-term economic development of the Rural Areas for the period to 2025
Patrick O’Donovan welcomed the appointment of Pat Spillane as the Commission chairman, saying that “It is clear that Pat Spillane, has over many years both through his involvement in the GAA, his business background, and his work with young people in education, developed a deep knowledge and understanding or rural people which will be a major asset to this commission.”
The Commission will undertake seventeen public meetings in the first three months of 2013, and Patrick O’Donovan said he would be encouraging people with positive ideas on the future development of rural areas to get involved, to attend the meetings and to have their opinions listened to.
The Minister will announce the membership of the Commission later in the week. The membership will represent a broad set of people from different backgrounds, with significant experience and expertise in the Rural Economy with public and private sectors, bringing practical, government and research experience with them to the Commission.
