The Interdepartmental Committee on the Islands, the Gaeltacht and the Irish Language was established to co-ordinate the implementation of Government policy with regard to the offshore islands, the Gaeltacht and the Irish language; to seek to ensure this policy is implemented in an effective manner; to review the provision of services to offshore islands and Gaeltacht regions by Government Departments and State agencies; and, where duplication occurs, to rationalise these services by consultation and agreement.
Four full meetings of the committee have already taken place as well as a number of bilateral meetings with the various Departments represented on the committee. The main role of the committee is to assist me and my Department in ensuring Government policy in relation to the offshore Islands, the Gaeltacht and the Irish language is implemented in a co-ordinated and effective manner. A number of issues have been discussed by the committee concerning, inter alia, the provision of adequate levels of services for islanders, the promotion of the sustainable development of our offshore islands, the promotion of the Irish language in the Gaeltacht, the development of the Gaeltacht and the promotion of Irish throughout the country.