A COUNTY Limerick TD is firmly behind a move to create a new political party representing the interests of rural communities.
Deputy Richard O’Donoghue, along with other members of the Rural Independent Group, are in widespread discussions with a view to creating a political movement “to amplify the voices of overlooked communities”.
O’Donoghue is part of a current Dáil grouping that also includes the Healy-Rae bothers Michael and Danny (Kerry), Michael Collins (Cork), Carol Nolan (Laois/Offaly), and Mattie McGrath of Tipperary.
“Our objective is to be a voice for change for rural communities by running over 20 candidates in the next general election while revolutionising the Irish political landscape,” O’Donoghue stated.
“Rural areas in Ireland have been reeling under the weight of new factors that emerged over the past three years. Successive governments have almost exclusively focused on Dublin, causing rural Ireland and regional development to be left behind.
“Rural communities have become an afterthought, with mainstream political parties showing up at election time and making glib promises to do better next time. This, coupled with the green agenda, is suffocating rural Ireland.
“We deserve a Government that is not afraid to stand up against the well-resourced lobbying power of the green agenda by putting ordinary people in rural communities first.”
According to the Limerick TD, their objectives are to be a staunch independent and community voice inside the next Government.
Rural Ireland, he pointed out, accounts for over a third of the Irish population, which is in sharp contrast with many other EU countries with both Spain and France both averaging around a fifth of people living outside of main urban areas.
“In Limerick, around 100,000 (50 per cent) of the population live outside of the city.
“Rural communities and regions are under attack from all sides, and genuine concerns are being silenced instead of being listened too. The push to tax motorists off the roads, drive down nitrogen-based emissions, end turf cutting, and reduce livestock herds by stealth is not what any Government should be about.”
In the Dáil, the Rural Independent Group of TDs, O’Donoghue maintains, has been the sole unified voice for rural communities. He added that households and rural Ireland, cannot afford the policies required for the disjointed green energy transition.
“The Government’s approach of all stick and no carrot is failing the people. Ireland needs a Government that puts the duty of care to the people at the forefront.”
