Knock conference looks at future of West

IS there any hope for rural Ireland? Is there a better way of organising the country? Can the problems which afflict all Ireland be eliminated? Is there a solution? Is there a future?

These are some of the question which will be addressed at a conference to be held in Knock on Monday and Tuesday next, (May 14-15th) under the heading 'The Future of the West'.

High profile speakers will be attempting to identify the real Celtic Tiger and pondering the real impact of information technology on rural areas. The issue of whether IT will continue to drain young people from the countryside will be addressed and the Director for Europe of Marconi Technologies will outline his view of the future.

The conference will also be addressed by Minister Eamonn O Cuiv who is responsible for Rural Development. The organisers state that as the man charged with halting rural decline he will have some very interesting statements to make in Knock.

Other high-profile speakers will highlight what is termed the grim facts of rural depopulation during the first part of the conference and the second stage will be devoted to looking at the options and asking if there is a way out of the present decline.

The conference begins on Monday next at 2 p.m. and will continue until midday on Tuesday. For further information and registration call 094-51193.