Enda Kenny
Question:4 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands the plans, if any, she has to give formal recognition to the Islands Federation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11069/99]
Other Questions. - Islands Federation.
Comhdháil Oileáin na hÉireann is the umbrella body which represents inhabited offshore islands. The comhdháil encourages these communities to become involved in local development as well as provid ing a forum of communication between island communities. The comhdháil regularly makes representations to my Department with regard to the many problems facing islanders and assistance has been provided to the comhdháil by my Department at various times.
I attended the annual general meeting of Comhdháil Oileáin na hÉireann on 17 April 1999 in Oranmore, County Galway; my Department regards the comhdháil as the official voice of islanders and the concerns expressed by it are dealt with in that light. I am currently awaiting a submission from Comhdháil Oileáin na hÉireann with regard to the current funding of the organisation.
Does the Minister intend to give Gaeltacht and non-Gaeltacht islanders an electoral voice in any restructuring of Údarás na Gaeltachta?
Gaeltacht islanders will have a voice in the Údarás na Gaeltachta elections. Because so many deficiencies on the islands relate to infrastructure, close links have been developed between the Department and the islanders over the past year. The AGM revealed the depth of communication and inter-working which have been developed with islanders up and down the coast. A very intensive two hour question and answer session followed my half hour address to the meeting. I received the impression that islanders feel things are happening now, that current structures are delivering to them and that the strength of those structures lies in their simplicity.
There is now a direct connection between islanders and the Department and the Department is carrying our major work in co-ordinating the work of bodies such as Údarás, other Departments and semi-State bodies to ensure the delivery of services to islanders.
I accept that Gaeltacht and non-Gaeltacht islands are moving in the right direction. The efforts made over the past number of years by this and previous Governments support that. The Department of the Environment and Local Government has taken over responsibility for the Water Scheme Federation and has given its chief executive – for want of a better word – a salary which is pitched at departmental level. Apparently, that federation has the right and authority to alter lists recommended by local authorities in regard to water schemes. Is it the Minister's intention to increase the authority and responsibility of Comhdháil Oileáin na hÉireann by allowing it a direct input and decision-making influence on proposals for island development by Departments and local authorities? Is the comhdháil to have a formalised responsibility through which it can influence events?
I have no great knowledge of the other case referred to by Deputy Kenny. I take the view that, at the end of the day, the buck stops with me and my senior colleague in regard to any decisions made. I cannot allow a situation to develop where the comhdháil could overrule any decisions I might make. Since most of the direct spend on the islands is incurred directly by my Department, the power to make final decisions will rest with the Minister. I do not envisage a situation arising whereby the comhdháil could overrule a decision taken by the Minister.
If a future Minister has a list of developments in regard to slipways, piers or whatever he or she wants prioritised for Gaeltacht or non-Gaeltacht islands, Comhdháil Oileáin na hÉireann might decide on a different order of priority. I fully understand that no organisation subservient to a Minister should be able to overrule him, but can the Minister of State envisage such an organisation having a direct influence on the priority listing of development projects on the islands? A Minister might have a personal preference to undertake one project before another. In such a situation could Comhdháil Oileán na hÉireann have a say in drawing up priority lists?
It would be a foolish Minister who would ignore the views of the islanders he was appointed to serve. However, in the event of a Minister believing one thing should be done and a body such as Comhdháil Oileán na hÉireann believing something else should be done, the Minister's view would have to prevail. As long as I am Minister of State, that is how it will be. I have been elected by the people and appointed by the Taoiseach as Minister of State with responsibility for the islands to make such decisions. Those of us who are in Government must consider many aspects of every question. There is a danger in giving the power of direction to a particular group. I am sure Deputy Kenny, when in Government, had people pull him by the sleeve to tell him quietly that bodies which were supposed to represent their interest did not do so. In such cases one must make valued judgments.
I do not foresee conflict between myself and Comhdháil Oileán na hÉireann. To date, we have had the most harmonious relationship. I will continue to listen carefully to what they ask for, promote or suggest. In a situation such as that described by Deputy Kenny, where my priority was in conflict with theirs, the decision would be made by the Government. I will face any electorate on that fundamental issue. To do otherwise would be to undermine those who elected me and on whose authority I make decisions.