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RURAL IRELAND DESERVES BETTER. Over the weekend, I returned to Boyle, a town I called home for many years, to host a conference. Afterwards, I walked around and was saddened to see so many closed shops, boarded-up windows and empty premises. Boyle is a beautiful town, but its high street is being hollowed out. Where is the Government’s plan to save our small businesses before it’s too late? The draconian COVID measures devastated many small businesses. Six years later, those that survived are still struggling. Yet where is the meaningful support? I understand there are plans for an Aldi in Boyle. It may create some jobs, but what about the independent businesses already fighting to survive? Across the country, small traders are struggling to compete hi with big chains and online giants like Amazon. Think local. Shop local. Support local. Because if we don’t, these businesses simply won’t survive. Do we really want our beautiful Irish towns to become rows of empty units, bookies, vape shops and mobile phone repair shops, losing the character that makes them special? I spoke to a woman visiting from Australia who couldn’t find a steak for dinner in Boyle. Plenty of choice for Indian and Chinese cuisine- but nowhere serving traditional Irish fare. What does that say about the state of our town and the experience we offer visitors? Our towns deserve better. Our small businesses deserve better. The Government must act before it’s too late. #Boyle #ShopLocal #SupportSmallBusiness #SaveOurTowns