RURAL AFFAIRS SENIOR MINISTRY “A REAL AND PRACTICAL COMMITMENT” TO RURAL REVITALISATION

RURAL AFFAIRS SENIOR MINISTRY “A REAL AND PRACTICAL COMMITMENT” TO RURAL REVITALISATION – MURPHY

Ministry will be to the forefront of drive to reinvigorate rural economy.

Fianna Fáil general election candidate for Roscommon Galway, Cllr Eugene Murphy, says Tuesday’s announcement that Fianna Fáil’s restoration of the Rural Affairs portfolio to senior ministry is testament to the party’s commitment to working on behalf of those in rural areas and creating a fairer Ireland for all.

“The absolute abandonment of rural towns, villages and communities by the present government has had a devastating effect on a whole generation of people and rebuilding those communities is one of the main priorities of my campaign” says Murphy.

“Boarded up shop fronts, abandoned buildings, unfinished houses and just two IDA backed jobs in County Roscommon in 2015 – does that sound like a recovery to you?” asks Murphy “Galway and Roscommon are the second and third most rural counties in the country respectively. The government’s Dublin-centric focus has only served to widen the urban rural divide with those living in the country very much the poor relation when it comes to investment and recovery.”

“I want to represent an area where decent and hardworking people have a real chance to thrive.  Those living in rural areas have been short changed by the lack of job creation over the past 5 years – Fianna Fáils pledge to reinstate Rural Affairs to a full ministry will be to the forefront of a drive to reinvigorate the local economy and create a more sustainable future for those living in rural Ireland” concludes Murphy.