Protecting Rural Ireland: Motion
Seanad Éireann — 2026-07-15
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Joanne Collins (SF), Agricultural Panel

I move:
“That Seanad Éireann:
acknowledges that: -
- rural communities are central to the social, economic, cultural and environmental wellbeing of the State;
- family farms, fishing communities, small businesses, schools, childcare services, community organisations and voluntary groups are the foundation of rural life;
- many rural areas continue to experience population decline, reduced public services, inadequate transport links, limited access to healthcare, childcare and housing, and declining frontline Garda visibility;
- productive agricultural land is a strategic national asset that must be protected to safeguard food security, support family farms and sustain rural communities;
- the transition to renewable energy and the development of critical infrastructure must be carried out in a manner that respects local democracy, protects the environment and ensures meaningful community participation;
- rural Ireland requires fair access to affordable energy, reliable broadband, quality education, healthcare, childcare, policing and other essential public services in order to thrive;
notes with concern:
- the continuing pressure on productive farmland from competing land uses;
- ongoing uncertainty regarding updated national wind energy guidelines and the impact this has on communities affected by onshore wind development;
- the reduction in Garda station accessibility and frontline visibility in many rural areas;
- staffing shortages across childcare, healthcare and other essential services serving rural communities;
- rising costs facing households, farmers and small businesses, including energy, insurance and production costs;
calls on the Government to:
- publish and implement a comprehensive Rural Ireland Protection and Renewal Plan with clear targets, timelines and annual reporting to the Oireachtas;
- better protect productive agricultural land through strengthened planning policy and ensure that food security is recognised as a strategic national priority;
- guarantee that any designation of projects as critical infrastructure preserves planning independence and meaningful public consultation;
- immediately publish updated Wind Energy Development Guidelines, including clear provisions relating to setback distances, noise, shadow flicker, cumulative impacts and community protections;
- increase frontline Garda resources in rural areas, ensure adequate staffing of rural Garda stations and expand dedicated roads policing units across rural counties;
- accelerate investment in rural healthcare, home support services, childcare, schools, public transport, broadband and affordable housing;
- provide targeted supports for family farms, fishing communities and rural small businesses, including measures to reduce unnecessary bureaucracy and improve economic viability;
- ensure that the transition to a low-carbon economy delivers tangible benefits for rural communities through local employment, community participation and fair distribution of investment; and
- report to Seanad Éireann within six months on the actions taken to implement the measures outlined in this Motion.”

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/seanad/2026-07-15/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-08-27T06:52:16+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-07-15