Vol. 458 No. 6
45 Ms Keogh asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications the arrangements, if any, there are for transporting passengers and goods by sea and air from the mainland to Inishbofin, County Galway, Inishturk, Clareisland and Inishbiggle, County Mayo. [17429/95]
I have no function or responsibility in the matter of providing air or sea access to Inishbofin, Inishturk, Clareisland or Inishbiggle.
The problems of access to the islands should properly be seen in the overall context of western development and rural renewal. Of course this problem cannot be looked at only in relation to the islands identified by the Deputy.
The Taoiseach indicated the priority he attaches to the development of a total strategy in this whole area by appointing my colleague Deputy Donal Carey, as Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach with special 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.
A special committe under the Chairmanship of Minister of State Carey has been examining the matter of access transport to all offshore islands. I understand that the committee is due to finalise its report shortly.
