SINN FÉIN LAUNCHES CONSULTATION PROGRAMME FIVE QUESTIONS FOR FARMING

Listening to rural Ireland

BY MARK MOLONEY

Sinn Féin’s Michael Colreavy TD and Bairbre de Brún MEP at the Ploughing Championships

SINN FÉIN has launched a Listening to Rural Ireland initiative to hear directly from farmers and their families about their concerns and issues.
It was launched by Sinn Féin spokesperson on Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Michael Colreavy TD at the Ploughing Championships in Athy.
Over the coming weeks, Sinn Féin representatives will consult with farmers, rural communities and those involved in the agri-food business from right across the island to help build up a concise picture of the difficulties that the ordinary people of rural Ireland are facing.
The feedback from farm families will help to inform Sinn Féin elected representatives about what people on the ground think.
Deputy Colreavy said Sinn Féin is asking farmers basic five questions which can be expanded upon:

1. What type of farming are you engaged in?
2. What do you believe are the three major issues facing Irish farmers at the present time?
3. What do you believe are the three major issues facing rural Ireland at the present time?
4. Do you feel that your situation has improved or worsened since the introduction of the Single Farm Payment?
5. Do you believe that you or a family member will still be engaged in farming in ten years’ time?”

Deputy Colreavy said: “We want to hear from as broad a spectrum as possible. We want to provide real and effective representation for rural Ireland.”