Farmers were told that broadband was a critical issue for the future of rural Ireland at the MEP meeting at the Springfort Hotel in Co Cork.

The meeting was organised by the IFA and the 11 candidates for the Ireland South elections were keen to express their support for rural issues. Fianna Fáil candidate Billy Kelliher said that farmers and rural businesses needed access to high-speed broadband or they risked being left behind.

The creation of digital hubs was focused on by Independent candidate Liam Minehan; and the need for farmers to move with technology was raised by Fianna Fáil candidate Malcolm Byrne.

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Not always the answer

However, farmers at the meeting pointed out that upskilling or re-training would be difficult, even with the support of better broadband.

“I’ve been farming for 30 years, there is no other type of work I can do,” a farmer said.

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