Ring accuses Fianna Fáil of forgetting rural Ireland

Ring accuses FF of forgetting rural Ireland


Anton McNulty

FIANNA FΡil have been accused of forgetting about rural Ireland by its lack of commitment to rural transport and the imposition of a carbon tax by Fine Gael TD, Michael Ring.
The Fine Gael spokesperson on Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs claimed that the introduction of the carbon tax will have a greater negative effect on rural dwellers than those living in urban areas and accused the government of forgetting about the needs of rural Ireland. He also claimed that the introduction of these taxes will also affect rural transport.
“The carbon tax will affect people who live in rural Ireland to a much greater extent than those in urban areas and could cost the rural economy as much as €70 million at a time when it is already struggling. Fine Gael wanted the Government to exempt farm diesel and solid home fuels, including turf, from the carbon tax to ease its effect on rural families but as usual Fianna FΡil’s answer was to turn its back on rural Ireland.
“Rural households also suffer from the unavailability of rural public transport with 50 per cent of people in rural areas reporting difficulties in accessing transport compared to eleven per cent in urban areas. Despite this and even though the carbon tax will add to the cost of such services, the Budget provision remains the same for the Rural Transport Programme in 2010.  While I am relieved that it has not suffered further cuts it is now essential that the yield from the carbon tax is directed towards rural transport,” Deputy Ring said.