Community groups have earned a place on new Development boards
A Chara, I wish to fully agree with the observations of Monica Prendiville in The Kerryman of May I4 regarding the composition of the recently formed Development Boards which will replace the Partnerships which, during the period in which they functioned, were very much representative of community organisations and certainly made a valuable contribution to creating much needed employment in rural areas.
Monica, who has been a trojan worker for various rural organisations including the Irish Country Womens Association, has certainly made a worthwhile observation on the reduced community input into this recently formed board, now under the auspices of the local authority and which will now also have political input when the nominees from the newly elected councillors take their seats.
Voluntary organisations have made a huge contribution to rural Ireland, which has struggled in recent times to attract much needed employment and for the purpose of this letter I will attempt briefly to outline this contribution.
The Irish Countrywomens Association is the largest women’s organisation in Ireland with over I5,OOO members, Founded in I9IO, it exists to provide social and educational opportunities for women and to improve the standards or rural and urban life in Ireland. Conscious of this contribution, two of its former members, Kit Ahern and Peggy Farrell, were Taoiseach’s nominees to Seanad Eireann while in I98I Patsy Lawlor was elected to the Cultural and Educational Panel.
The ICMSA with a membership of I4,OOO has made a significant contribution to the dairy farming sector. The IFA (Irish Farmers Association) is a national organisation representing the interests of all sectors of farming in Ireland, It was founded in I955 as the National Farmers Association aiming to lead Irish farmers out of the depression and deprivation which had dominated rural Ireland for decades. In the I972 referendum on Irish membership of The European Economic Community campaigned for a “Yes” vote seeking access to European markets and higher prices for agricultural produce. Macra Na Feirme is also a very vibrant rural organisation which provides recreational opportunities for the youth of rural Ireland
Muintir Na Tire, was founded by Canon John Hayes in I937 when there was no convenient supply of running water, no electricity or other modern conveniences and Muintir made a major contribution to the development of such facilities in rural Ireland.
The Gaelic Athletic Association, since its formation in I884, has made a contribution to the development of sporting and cultural facilities in every town, village and rural parish in Ireland.
Ireland’s first President and for a brief period President of the GAA Dr Douglas Hyde made the following observations on the contribution that this organisation has made to Ireland, “I consider the work of this association in reviving our ancient national games of hurling, football and handball has done more for Ireland than all the speeches of our politicians.” The GAA has and continues to make a significant contribution to our economy by virtue of the purchase of equipment, employment in the maintenance of their facilities and to contractors who provide travel for their members.
The Rural Challenge, an umbrella organisation comprising members of organisations such as the GAA, Irish Rural Dwellers Association and the IFA, have been campaigning for the formation of a Rural Forum which would enter dialogue with relevant government departments with a view to maintaining and supporting rural communities and developing an employment strategy to sustain such communities.
It may also be worthy of note that, unlike other nominees of this Board, the thousands of volunteers who worked tirelessly in the promotion of the aims and objectives of those voluntary organisations to make rural Ireland a better place to live in were never remunerated for their efforts. It would certainly be a gesture of appreciation of their contribution if those rural organisation could be afforded a seat on those recently initiated Development Boards.
I think Monica Prendiville has certainly made some valid observations which are worthy of recognition and hopefully the much needed Rural Forum will be formed to address the needs of rural Ireland where 6O per cent of our poulation still reside..
Sincerely, John Kelly, Coolcuslough, Killarney.