Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 25 Jun 2002

Vol. 553 No. 5

Written Answers. - Islands Policy.

Fergus O'Dowd

Question:

381 Mr. O'Dowd asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs his views on Comhdháil Oileáin na hÉireann's demand for the recognition of the islands as a region, establishing Comhairle na nOileán, introducing an island's policy at all levels of Government and island-proofing all legislation and programmes. [14729/02]

Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs (Éamon Ó Cuív)

The Deputy may be aware that included in the recently published programme for Government is a commitment to establish an Islands Council, thus recognising the islands as a region in the context of the local government system. In the light of this commitment, it is my intention to pursue this issue with my colleague, the Minister for the Environment and Local Government at the earliest opportunity.

A Government Department was given specific remit for the islands in 1995. This was transferred to the Department of Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands in 1997. With regard to the introduction of an islands policy at all levels of Government and also since 1998, there has been in existence an interdepartmental committee for the islands, the Gaeltacht and the Irish language. This committee was established to co-ordinate the implementation of Government policy regarding the islands, the Gaeltacht and the Irish language, to make every effort to ensure that that policy is implemented effectively and to review the provision of services from Departments and State organisations to the islands and to the Gaeltacht and to make the system more effective through negotiation and agreement. Considerable progress has been made by this committee in fulfilling its terms of reference and this work will continue during the term of the present Government.

I am aware that Comhdháil Oileáin na hÉireann, in its recently issued islands manifesto for 2002 to 2007, called for the introduction of "island proofing" of all legislation and Government programmes as a recognition of the need for additional measures, flexible approaches and different criteria to account for the unique position of our islands. I feel that issues of concern to island communities and issues of special island policies are best dealt with through the existing rural development and poverty proofing of certain State initiatives and particularly through the workings of the above mentioned interdepartmental committee for the islands, the Gaeltacht and the Irish language.

Fergus O'Dowd

Question:

382 Mr. O'Dowd asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs his views on Comhdháil Oileáin na hÉireann's demand for enterprise and employment creation through the establishment of a special enterprise fund for islands, support for traditional industries including agriculture and fishing, the development of natural resources and the provision of drive-on, drive-off ferries. [14730/02]

Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs (Éamon Ó Cuív)

I would be in favour, in principle, of the establishment of a special enterprise fund for non-Gaeltacht islands to be administered by the county enterprise boards. I understand that my predecessor met with officials of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment earlier this year to discuss the issue and it is my intention to pursue it further with that Department at the earliest opportunity.

Regarding State support for the development of employment in the agriculture, fishing and natural resource sectors, the Deputy may be aware that the report of the Interdepartmental Co-ordinating Committee on Island Development, which was published in 1996, identified four areas – agriculture, fishing-aquaculture, tourism and information technology – which had the greatest potential for providing employment on the islands. As part of my Department's planning for the coming five years, it is my intention to consult with the co-operatives-development companies on each island, asking them to identify their development priorities in the period 2003 to 2007. When consultations are complete, it is my intention to pursue the various issues raised by island communities with the relevant Departments and State agencies.

On the issue of roll on-roll off ferries, my Department currently pays annual subsidies towards the provision of 14 ferry services to various islands around the coast, three of which are roll on-roll off services, which require a specific type of landing infrastructure currently available on a limited number of islands.