The Mayo Chairman of the Vintners’ Federation of Ireland, Alan Gielty, is welcoming the government’s announcement yesterday to support the use of rural pubs as community spaces and hubs for local services.

A new five-year rural strategy to promote living and working in rural areas, entitled -  ‘Our Rural Future’ was announced by the  Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys.

Alan says his premises - Gielty’s Bar and Restaurant on Achill Island, like other pubs across the region is already used extensively as a community meeting place and he says it makes sense to establish an arrangement where someone who may not have room or internet in their own home, could set up a workstation for a number of hours in a designated area of a public house served by broadband.

Alan has been speaking to Midwest News Editor Teresa O’Malley about what is envisaged for the rural pub under this plan...