EU policies are forcing large-scale population clearances from rural Ireland and contributing to over-population on the east coast, according to a new umbrella organisation which aims to combat the trend. The Irish Rural Dwellers' Association, which holds its first convention in Galway tomorrow, says the National Spatial Strategy will fail if it does not address the "crisis".
The association's steering committee includes representatives of the main farming organisations, community projects and the Council for the West.
Mr Jim Connolly, acting secretary of the association and chairman of Rural Resettlement Ireland Ltd, said globalising economic programmes such as the Common Agricultural Policy and the Common Fisheries Policy were having a catastrophic effect on rural and coastal areas.
"The threat to these communities is so extreme that we are at an historical turning point," he said yesterday. "The east coast is also at a turning point because of over-population - the negative effects being demonstrated in the recent floods."
Mr Connolly said only the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Mr Ó Cuív. understood the seriousness of the situation, "It is time the Government issued a statement in support of his position," he added.
Everyone was waiting with "bated breath" for the long-delayed National Spatial Strategy, even as people were being "corralled into villages and towns". An Taisce was supporting this policy, as were local authorities in terms of planning regulations and implementation of EU directives. "The townland pattern of settlement must be allowed to continue if such communities are to have any future."
Earlier this week, people from west Clare had travelled 50 miles to demonstrate their anger and frustration over the Clare County Development Plan, Mr Connolly said. The plan had been "rejected by the people", but was being pushed through against their wishes, he said.
The rural dwellers' association's first national convention will be addressed by Mr Joe McDonagh, former GAA president, chief executive of Foras na Gaeilge and chairman of TG4, while Mr Connolly will speak on the need to establish a united voice for rural dwellers. The convention will be chaired by Senator Labhrás Ó Murchú, director-general of Comhaltas Ceolteoirí Eireann.
The convention opens tomorrow at 11 a.m. in the Galway Bay Golf and Country Club, Oranmore, Co Galway.