Sinn Féin agriculture and fisheries spokesperson Martin Ferris TD was in Belmullet yesterday to meet with farming and fishing organisations as part of Sinn Féin’s campaign to revive the west.
The meeting, they hope, will inform an official Oireachtas report on what is required to ensure the future viability of farming and fishing.
The report is being compiled by Sinn Féin Senator Pearse Doherty, a member of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Arts, Sport, Tourism, Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, and will be entitled “What is required to rejuvenate the west of Ireland both in economic and social terms”.
“As many people are aware, the west of Ireland is suffering a death by a thousand cuts — be it the loss of traditional farming, fishing or manufacturing jobs, the closure and running down of public services such as health and education, the withdrawal of public transport and the closure of rural schools, shops and Garda stations,” Sen Doherty has said.
Yesterday’s meeting with the farming and fishing organisations was just the start of this consultative process which will also include local community development groups, enterprise boards, chambers of commerce, trades councils, women’s groups and other relevant groups from across the west.
Sen Doherty is calling for submissions for the report from interested groups. Submissions can be forwarded to [email protected] before September 12. The final published report will be presented to the Joint Oireachtas Committee for approval.
