I wish to share my time with Deputy Dennehy. I welcome this Bill and I congratulate the Minister on bringing it before the House. People who live on the offshore islands have the same rights as those who live on the mainland. Services which we on the mainland take for granted, such as rail or bus transport or readily available air transport, have not generally been available to people living on the offshore islands, most of which are off the west coast. The depopulation of these islands over the past 50 years has been due in no small way to this lack of easy access to the mainland. Essential services such as medical care and education are much more difficult to deliver to people living on islands. The development of locally based industry has been hampered.
Since the development of air transport such as small commercial aircraft suitable for island hopping, the prospects of a readily accessible mode of transport to and from the islands and mainland has become very feasible. In that regard the outstanding success of Aer Arann is to be commended. From very small and humble beginnings, this airline has developed into a national carrier and recently commenced an international service. Today its aeroplanes connect many of our cities with Dublin. I speak with some knowledge of its excellent service on the Sligo-Dublin route on a regular basis in addition to many other routes.
This airline has its origin in flying from the Aran Islands to Galway. Other islands need to have such a facility but before this can come to pass, aerodromes must be in place. This Bill will allow the Minister to evaluate the need for such aerodromes. If the Minister of the day is satisfied that such an air service is necessary, it will allow him or her to initiate the process of providing the relevant facilities.
I am pleased that the Bill also confers on the Minister the same obligations with regard to sea travel. For countless centuries the only method of transport between the islands and the mainland has been by sea. One can only marvel at the strength of character of many generations of islanders who undertook these sea journeys in small currachs. Even today, travelling by sea off the west coast of Ireland in the security and comfort of a modern ferry vessel can be a daunting task. One can only have the height of respect for people who had to make these sea journeys in small, exposed boats in the past.
Some islands are badly in need of new jetties or piers. As in the case of aerodromes, this Bill will allow the Minister to provide these badly needed facilities. The nation has a duty to cherish all its citizens equally. The location of one's home should not be allowed to interfere with that duty. Other countries have successfully overcome the difficulties presented by people living in remote and far-flung places. I cite the example of Australia and the wonderful success of the flying doctor service. The success of this service is based on the principle of using small capacity aircraft in conjunction with the provision of small runways in inaccessible places. There is no reason why an air service based on similar principles cannot be used to open up the offshore islands. Perhaps the trend of falling population and emigration so endemic in these islands will be reversed.
A recent report suggested the provision of three new airstrips at Clifden and Inishbofin in County Galway and Tory Island in County Donegal. It also suggested that a helicopter service should be provided for the Mayo islands of Clare and Inishturk. I hope this Bill will help to progress the ideas contained in this report. I congratulate the Minister on his initiative and commend the Bill to the House.