Sinn Féin Meet GAA Over Irish Emigration

The problems facing GAA sports clubs across Ireland as a result of emigration have been addressed during a meeting with Sinn Féin and the organisation's Rural Depopulation Committee.

The meeting was part of Sinn Féin’s Love Rural Ireland Campaign.

Speaking after the meeting in Croke Park, Deputy Martin Ferris said: "On behalf of Sinn Féin I welcome the formation of a Rural Depopulation Committee to tackle the problem of emigration and depopulation that many rural GAA clubs face.

"For the past year Sinn Féin has been running its Love Rural Ireland campaign to highlight problems faced in rural Ireland.

"Sinn Féin TDs and Senators have organised public meetings and consulted with local groups throughout the country. The GAA is an integral part of rural Ireland and we were delighted to hear the views of the Rural Depopulation Committee too."

Senator Trevor Ó Clochartaigh said: "I have witnessed many rural communities suffer from cutbacks throughout Ireland. Sinn Féin has engaged with many of these communities and heard of the suffering that has been inflicted on them, including emigration and depopulation.

"The GAA is possibly one of the organisations hardest hit by this as thousands of young people have left the country, significantly depleting their ranks."

Deputy Sandra McLellan said: "Sporting organisations play a massive role, especially in rural Ireland, in knitting the community together. The GAA has witnessed many of its clubs suffer from emigration and depopulation and this has a knock on-effect on communities."

(IT)