Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 5 November 2020
36. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development when the islands action plan will be published as per the commitment in the programme for Government; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34164/20]
View answer44. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of the national policy for the islands; when the islands action plan as promised in the programme for Government will be published; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34147/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 36 and 44 together.
Prior to the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic my Department had been engaged in a process of consultation with island communities in relation to the development of a new Islands Policy. This consultation was carried out through public meetings on the islands.
The consultation process had to be temporarily suspended due to COVID-19 travel restrictions and to avoid health risks for the island communities.
My Department has been liaising with the representatives of the island communities who have not yet had the opportunity to contribute directly to the consultation process, to enable them to make an input on behalf of their communities. In the current circumstances, this will be done remotely.
These on-line engagements will commence next week, with the first one scheduled for November 10th. My Department will also consult other stakeholders through the same mechanism.
Following these final consultations, work will proceed on the drafting of the new policy which will be supported by an Action Plan to implement the policy.
