All across RTÉ this week the Heart|Land series celebrates rural Ireland. And it is an Ireland that is changing and fast. Post offices, pubs, shops and marts are all closing down and there are plans afoot to amalgamate smaller schools. Tougher drink-driving laws, a ban on hunting and turf-cutting mean many in the countryside believe their way of life is under threat like never before. Are they right when they claim the very survival of rural Ireland is at stake?
Or is this just the farming lobby once again demanding special treatment which the country can now no longer afford? Is the demise of rural Ireland in fact greatly exaggerated? The agricultural sector supports 250,000 jobs and food exports are one of our few economic success stories. Should we be doing more to encourage the industry and save the way of life, and will we all regret it if we don’t?
Minister for Agriculture Simon Coveney will be joining us tonight along with audience members from all over the country. It promises to be a lively debate so please do tune in and if you have anything to add just post your comment below or email thefrontline@rte.ie.
