Prior to the Dáil Easter recess, the Rural Independent TDs moved a crucial private members motion in the Dáil, seeking to hold the government accountable, and pivoted into action towards the delivery of critical infrastructure to all parts of rural Ireland.
Speaking today (Monday 12th April) ahead of the scheduled deferred Dáil vote on the development of rural Ireland, the leader of the Group, Deputy Mattie Mc Grath said:
“My colleagues and I provided a unique opportunity for every TD to stand up for rural Ireland and rural communities. Naturally, it was very disappointing and perplexing as to why Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and Green party TDs failed to show up and contribute to the debate.”
“We often hear FF, FG and Green TDs pontificate about their interest and support for rural communities; however, when it mattered, they failed to show up and make a concrete contribution on the floor of the Dáil.”
“Perhaps our motion is not acceptable to those party TDs because for the first time, it aims to put the interests of rural Ireland ahead of the narrow-vested interests of any political party. We are therefore calling on all rural TDs to decide which side they are on. They cannot have it both ways, as to do so, means putting the party interests before those of rural communities.”
“Our motion simply seeks to hold the government democratically accountable for the delivery of key infrastructural investments under the national development plan, a key plank of Project Ireland 2040. It also seeks to deliver the roll-out of the national broadband plan (NBP) by the end of 2022, instead of the government’s target of 2027.”
“For self-serving reasons, the government appear hell-bent on avoiding such accountability or transparency, while on the other hand issuing press statements that claim credit for the NBP rollout, despite the fact that it will take at least a further six years to deliver.”
“If the government continue to claim credit for failure – through spin and manipulation of the narrative – then rural Ireland, under such a regime, is being utterly taken for granted.”
“The failed, rebranded and half-baked polices of this government, when it comes to rural development, are pathetically evident. In fact, rather than support rural communities, they instigate destructive policies such as the new Carbon Action Bill, which will cost jobs, push up prices, prohibit rural housing and hand power making over to a new high-powered elite and unelected committee.”
“Next week we offer, through a vote on our motion, the opportunity for all TDs to decide if they are on the side of rural Ireland or if they are going to tow the party line, and cast a vote that keeps them in favour with their parties hierarchy. The choice is simple, but the decision will be illuminating to every rural resident, as the time for double speak is truly over.”.
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