‘Some people in Dublin 4 are trying to wipe us off the map’
PEOPLE DO not want realignment - that was the simple message from Dr Brendan O'Keeffe, who previously worked at IRD Duhallow and is more than familiar with the work which they do.
The Gneeveguilla native is now a lecturer at Mary Immaculate College, Limerick.
In his very detailed presentation, he was able to outline that the EU Commission, the EU Court of Auditors, and the OECD (Organisation for Economic Co- Operation & Development) are all against realignment. He said even the OECD pointed to IRD Duhallow as “the model to follow.”
Dr O’Keeffe said: “The proposed top down structure is contrary to the policy of the European Commission and the OECD which favours the bottom up approach in rural development.”
“Duhallow will lose people if alignment goes ahead. There is a wealth of academic research which supports this. Local action groups just like IRD Duhallow are working, “he said.
By showcasing various detailed graphs, he outlined how since 2007 there was what he termed, “an explosion of red tape,” which in turn “stifled innovation.” This was followed on in 2012 by the publication of the current White Paper.
With regards to IDA support, he said a staggering 70% of all IDA investment went to County Dublin. Meanwhile, he said, there hasn't been IDA investment in Duhallow since the 1980s.
“Some people in Dublin 4 are trying to wipe us off the map. In terms of support from IRD Duhallow, 80% of enterprises that they supported would not get any support from a state agency. Doesn't that speak volumes?” he said.