Rural Science Association - Annual General Meeting, 2009

PRESS RELEASE

The Rural Science Association held its AGM in the Brockagh Resource Centre, Glendalough, Co. Wicklow recently.

The outgoing Chairman Dermot Leavy warned of uncertainties in the future regarding rural development particularly in the context of the proposals contained in the An Bord Snip Nua report. Mr Leavy said there will be huge challenges ahead if the proposals are implemented in full and the proposal to eliminate the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs is a major concern. He warned of the effects on cohesion and the possibility of social inclusion being removed from existing structures which could also result in Enterprise Ireland being responsible for administrating rural development programmes going forward. Mr Leavy said the proposals will not just have an economic effect on Rural Ireland but also from a social dimension. He then paid tribute to his fellow officers for their assistance during the year, particularly Susan Hill, Laurie Whelan and Elizabeth Dunne for their secretarial duties,

The following members were elected as Officers of the RSA for the coming term.

Hon President, Professor Jim Phelan, UCD.

Vice Presidents, Michael Kenny, NUI Maynooth, Lily Mulhall, UCD, Mary O Shaughnessy, UCC, Maureen Mescall UCG.

Chairman, Jim Maguire. Bailieboro. Co Cavan.

Vice Chairman, Neville Armstrong, Enniskillen, Co. Fermanagh.

Secretariat, Dermot Leavy, Kinnegad, Co.Westmeath, Kathleen Grennan, Rosemount, Co. Westmeath and John Moran, Tubber, Co. Offaly.

Treasurer, John Durkan, Ballyhaunis, Co. Mayo

Assistant Treasurer, Helene Dooley, Ballyboughal, Co. Dublin.

P.R.O. Nicholas Duff, Termonfeckin, Co. Louth.

Assistant P.RO, Bernard Joyce, Castlebar, Co Mayo.

The incoming Chairman Jim Maguire paid tribute to outgoing Chairman Dermot Leavy for his tireless dedication to the RSA since its foundation. Mr Maguire said that the challenge for the RSA is to increase membership and increase its profile. He said the Association needs to establish how to be of benefit to its members and have a strong role to play in rural development policy by lobbying for effective policies. Mr Maguire also said there is a need for the Association to become in involved in border issues to ensure that effective policies are implemented North and South.

For further information, please contact info@ruralsa.ie.