With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 17 and 18 together.
The terms of reference of the Ministerial Committee are to carry out an indepth investigation of Ireland's off shore islands with the objective of improving the working and living conditions on the islands. One of the first initiatives taken by the committee, which is chaired by the Minister for the Environment, was to recommend that the inhabited islands off the coasts of Mayo, Donegal, Galway and Cork have a liaison officer on the mainland in the relevant county council. Reports were sought by the committee from these liaison officers setting out the problems relating specifically to islands of the respective coast lines.
Following their initial consideration of the reports the committee decided that a composite document drawing together the strands of these reports should be prepared. This has now been done and the document is to be considered by the committee at its next meeting which is scheduled for 3 February 1988. It would be the committee's intention to follow this up with meetings with representatives of the island communities.
The question of financial assistance will be addressed in the context of the final report of the committee.
