Macra say it is time for 'real action, otherwise rural youth ultimately face a bleak future'

Macra national president Elaine Houlihan welcomed the parties' efforts to form a Government and publish its ambitions for the next five years, however she warned that this Program for Government must deliver for young people and make substantive investments in rural youth.

Speaking following the announcement this evening of the Draft Program for Government she said: “This new Government has set out its ambition to deliver on generational renewal and young people will be watching very closely and holding the government to account on this point,” said the Macra President, speaking at a public consultation on Generational Renewal in Limerick.

“The organisation has long called for a farm succession scheme on Generational Renewal which is now included in the draft Program for Government along with other initiatives such as farmer mental health and well-being.  We released a set of priorities during the election and we look forward to engaging the new government on these priorities."

Elaine warned however, “paper never refuses ink and we don’t want this program to be just a formula of words, we want real action, otherwise rural youth ultimately face a bleak future.” 

Elaine concluded “we are happy to see Government formation at a final stage, we need real action on Generational Renewal, rural livelihoods and rural infrastructure to protect our future”.  Macra has reiterated that it will work with any and all parties to deliver for the good of the farming community and rural young people.