Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 September 2020
909. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he is taking to facilitate persons in Ireland participating in the European Commission's public consultation on rural development and the Commission's long-term vision for rural areas. [24165/20]
View answerThe need to design a long term vision for rural areas was underlined by EU Commission President Von der Leyen as one of her political priorities.
The Vision aims to create a debate at European level on the future of rural areas and the place they should have in our society. The European Commission indicated its intention to work with rural stakeholders, and local and regional authorities to develop a long-term vision which will support rural areas in achieving their full potential.
It is proposed that the vision will address challenges from demographic change to connectivity, low income or limited access to services. It will also explore innovative, inclusive and sustainable solutions including those triggered by climate and digital transformation or new developments arising from the current COVID-19 crisis, and offer reflections to feed future policies.
On 7 September, the Commission launched a public consultation process which will run until 30 November. It is open to all citizens to reply to the questionnaire that is available on the Commission website
https://ec.europa.eu/info/law/better-regulation/have-your-say/initiatives/12525-Long-term-vision-for-rural-areas
My Department has worked to engage stakeholders in the process from the start. On publication of the Roadmap for the development of this vision in July, my Department engaged with stakeholders, highlighting the process through established networks, such as the Monitoring Committee for the Rural Development Programme. It was also promoted by the National Rural Network and via the Department's social media channels. We have promoted this latest stage of public consultation with stakeholders in a similar fashion.
This issue is a cross-cutting one affecting a number of Government Ministers and Departments. For my part, I will be engaging with stakeholders to highlight the process and encourage participation across a wide range of society.
