Agriculture and Fisheries Motions

Agriculture, Fisheries and Rural

121. This Ard Fheis recognises the historic neglect of rural communities all over the island and that there is a need for investment and support to correct this historic neglect. In particular we recognise the crucial importance of infrastructure in creating employment in rural communities. In particular we criticise the slow rollout of broadband, the failure to reinstate funding for regional airports, and the continued failure to develop a western rail corridor. We believe;

- There is a need for an all-Ireland approach to resolving this problem. We therefore call on the Irish government to honour commitments made to support projects such as the A5 road from Derry to Aughnacloy, and Derry Airport.

- That it is vitally important to create employment in rural areas to stem the flow of migration and indeed emigration, and for the development of cohesive communities.

- In supporting small rural schools, and that we understand that they have a particular importance as regards the identity of a community and how a community sees itself. On that basis we reject the McCarthy report proposals, that all schools with under a 100 pupils should be merged, as it fails to take into account these schools’ importance to the community as a whole.

Ard Chomhairle

Passed                            Lost                             Referred

122. This Ard Fheis calls for the Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development in the 6 counties to engage with all Irish MEPs and her counterpart in the 26 counties to ensure a common approach to the ongoing discussions on the reform of the Common Agriculture Policy with the aim of maintaining adequate CAP funding beyond 2013, to ensure the continuation of the single farm payment beyond 2013 and to work towards a harmonisation upwards of EU  rural development programme funding beyond  2013 to achieve greater equivalence in funding available to rural dwellers and farmers in the 6 counties and  those in the 26 Counties in order that Irish farmers and the rural economy can help build Ireland towards economic recovery.    

Ard Chomhairle

Passed                            Lost                             Referred

123. This Ard Fheis calls on the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development in the 6 counties to bring forward an action plan that will ensure that rights of rural residents to access Government services and resources are given enhanced and compulsory consideration by all Government departments so as to improve the quality of life of all rural dwellers in that part of Ireland.

Ard Chomhairle

Passed                            Lost                             Referred

124. This Ard Fheis urges a radical reform of the EU Common Fisheries Policy, recognising that in the absence of such reform the Irish fishing industry and coastal communities will continue to decline and the economic benefit and future potential of this sector will be lost to the Irish people.

Patrick Cannon Cumann, Donaghmede,
Baile Átha Cliath

Passed                            Lost                             Referred

125. This Ard Fheis calls for a review of the commitments to agriculture under the Good Friday Agreement to establish outstanding issues relating to farms in border areas and seeks an action plan to address these issues.
Rogers/Martin Cumann, North Louth

Passed                            Lost                             Referred