Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 14 Feb 1995

Vol. 449 No. 1

Written Answers. - Interdepartmental Committee on Islands.

Séamus Hughes

Question:

44 Mr. Hughes asked the Taoiseach when the interdepartmental committee on islands, chaired by the Minister of State at his Department, will conclude its deliberations; when the committee was set up; the terms of reference; when it met; and his views on whether the policy of providing subsidised public transport to Gaeltacht islands as against non-Gaeltacht islands is discriminatory. [3091/95]

The Taoiseach

An interdepartmental committee on island development was established in June 1993 and its terms of reference were "to review and prioritise development strategies and recommend on actions to ensure a coordinated approach to all aspects of island development, including the question of structural relationships". The committee met on six occasions but did not produce a report.

The Minister of State at my Department with responsibility for co-ordinating the Government's commitment to western development and rural renewal and for the development and improvement of living conditions on our offshore islands has now taken over the chair of the interdepartmental committee on island development.

The Minister intends to hold a meeting of the committee very shortly. It would, therefore be inappropriate at this stage to express views on the issues which will arise at the committee, but I would expect it to conclude its deliberations within six months.