Irish MEPs back GAA leadership on rural depopulation and call for national policy reform

James Cox

A cross-party group of Irish MEPs has issued a joint statement to the Government welcoming the GAA’s work on demographic change and calling for coordinated national action to tackle rural depopulation.

The letter is co-signed by Ciaran Mullooly, Luke “Ming” Flanagan, Aodán Ó Riordáin, Michael McNamara, Kathleen Funchion and Lynn Boylan.

Speaking about the initiative, Mr Mullooly said the MEPs were united in their determination to place rural communities at the centre of Ireland’s demographic and regional policies.

“As Irish MEPs we’re committed to working together to ensure that all communities are placed at the heart of Ireland’s future demographic and regional policies,” he said. “Depopulation is not something we must simply accept. This is a challenge we can confront if Government, Parliament and the GAA pull in the same direction.”

Reforms

The MEPs recommend a series of reforms, beginning with a comprehensive overhaul of how Irish legislation is assessed for its impact on rural communities.

Mr Mullooly said: “We are recommending reform of structural policy. Government policy must go well beyond just funding and introduce whole-of-society rural proofing for all legislation to ensure that new policies actively support, rather than disadvantage, rural communities.”

Housing and infrastructure reforms also feature strongly in the letter.

“We are suggesting the reform of housing policy to make rural settlement easier, allowing home building on family land and taking action to counter serial objectors,” Mr Mullooly said. “If families cannot build in their own parish, then of course clubs and communities lose the next generation.”

The recommendations also address employment, remote work and economic balance.

“We need to create incentives for local job growth, promote regional economic balance outside large urban areas and expand flexible work options so that people can live, work and play in rural Ireland,” Mr Mullooly said.

Fast-growing towns

The MEPs highlight the pressure urbanisation has placed on sporting facilities and call for new pitches and amenities in fast-growing towns. They also strongly support the GAA’s proposal for a Rural Development Officer in every county board.

“We think the GAA should appoint a Rural Development Officer on every county board to coordinate community projects and ensure GAA clubs are central to local development,” Mr Mullooly said.

He also emphasised the importance of deeper cooperation between the GAA, Government and the EU.

“There is room for more partnerships and engagement with organisations like the IFA and EU bodies such as the Committee of the Regions to access research, funding and shared expertise,” he said.

Mr Mullooly said a shift in tone is also needed.

“I’m suggesting we move from a crisis tone to a solutions-focused message, highlighting the GAA’s cultural importance and even exploring symbolic recognitions such as UNESCO heritage status,” he added.

Mr Mullooly explained that the initiative follows a recent invitation from the GAA to speak to their demographic officers in Croke Park.

“I was asked to address demographic officers from all over the country at Croke Park a few months ago,” he said. “I suggested we needed a political initiative on this, and that the GAA itself has a key role to play.”

He also spoke personally about the reality of depopulation at club level.

“I know the way teams have been decimated. I’ve seen clubs in County Longford go out of business and others forced to amalgamate.

"I’m on your side on this, but we have to work together as a Government, as a Parliament and indeed as a GAA organisation to bring about improvements.”

GAA clubs

Mr Mullooly said he intends to visit GAA clubs across the Midlands and Northwest in the months ahead.

“I’ll be speaking again about the policy decisions we need, but also about practical ways of retaining players in your club or even bringing players back from abroad to work in the parish and play once again for your club,” he said.

“I’m looking forward to visiting clubs in the coming weeks to discuss this further.”

He concluded by stressing that this cross-party effort marks the beginning of a "sustained push for national action".

“This is quite an ask of the GAA and the Government, but it is necessary. Rural Ireland can thrive again if we commit to the right reforms and put communities at the centre of national planning. Irish MEPs are united in keeping this issue high on the political agenda.”