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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 24 May 1989

Vol. 390 No. 5

An Blascaod Mór National Historic Park Bill, 1989 [ Seanad ]: Second Stage.

Molaim: "Go léifear an Bille an Dara Uair."

Is é an cuspóir atá leis an mBille seo ná An Blascaod Mór, an t-oiléan is mó de scata oileán amach ó leithinis an Daingin, Contae Chiarraí, a chaomhnú do na glúnta atá le teachta agus chun cosc a chur le haon fhorbairt nach mbeadh fáilte roimpi. Tá sé mar chuspóir aige freisin spéis an oileáin don chuairteoir a mheádú agus é a chumhdú mar áit a bhfuil luach mór cultúrtha ag baint léi. Tá An Blascaod Mór, atá breis is trí mhíle ar fhad le hachar míle agus céad acra nó mar sin ann, trí mhíle farraige ón gcuan ag Dún Chaoin ar an mórthír. Ní raibh riamh níos mó ná dhá chéad duine nó mar sin ina gcónaí ar an mBlascaod Mór agus bhí saol cruaidh acu ar ghabháltais de thrí nó ceithre acra.

Baineann áilleacht uasal nádúrtha leis na Blascaodaí agus is cuimhneachán beo iad ar an saol a bhíodh ag mórán Éireannaigh thar glúnta gan comhaireamh. Le blianta beaga anuas, tá An Blascaod Mór tagtha chun cinn mar áit oilithreachta dóibh siúd a bhfuil cion or leith acu do theanga agus do bhéaloideas na Gaeilge.

Bunaíodh Fondúireacht an Bhlascaoid ag muintir an cheantair sa bhliain 1986 chun an t-oileán a chaomhnú agus a chosaint mar chuid luachmhar dár n-oidhreacht. Léiríonn bunú na Fondúireachta go soiléir go bhfuil fonn ar mhuintir an cheantair sin go ndéanfaí an áit shainiúil seo a chosaint agus a choimeád mar ba chóir. Tá sé soiléir, ar ndóigh, go mbeadh sé thar acmhainn ag aon eagraíocht phríobháideach tabhairt faoi na deacrachtaí atá le sárú agus ba léir gurb é réiteach na faidhbe ná go nglacfadh an Stát seilbh ar an oileán agus go ndéanfaí é a fhorbairt, i gcomhar leis an bhFondúireacht, mar Pháirc Náisiúnta Stairiúil. Gan gníomhaíochtaí na Fondúireachta ní bheadh an reachtaíocht seo ann.

The purpose of this Bill is to safeguard for future generations An Blascaod Mór, the largest of a group of islands lying off the Dingle peninsula, County Kerry, and to prevent any unwelcome development thereon. It is also designed to enhance the island's interest for the visitor and to preserve it as a place of great cultural value. An Blascaod Mór, which is over three miles long and comprises some 1,132 acres, is three miles by sea from the mainland harbour at Dunquin.

The Blaskets are majestic in their natural beauty and are a vivid reminder of a way of life now vanished but which many Irish people lived for countless generations. An Blascaod Mór has become in recent years a place of pilgrimage for those who love the Irish language and its folklore.

Fondúireacht an Bhlascaoid was established by the people of the area in 1986 to conserve and protect the island as an intrinsic part of our heritage. The Fondúireacht represents a clear expression by the local community of their wish to ensure that this unique place is protected and cared for properly. Clearly, however, the resources required and the difficulties to be overcome would exceed the capacity of any private organisation and, accordingly, it seemed to those concerned that the proper thing to do was for the State to acquire the island and, in co-operation with the Fondúireacht, to develop it as a National Historic Park. The activities of the Fondúireacht have indeed made this legislation possible.

The main provisions of the Bill are as follows: The Commissioners of Public Works will be authorised to acquire — by agreement or compulsorily — any land on the island, with the exception of certain lands owned or occupied by persons who owned or occupied them since 17 November 1953 — which is the date the island was evacuated — or, where such persons are deceased, their close relatives. In such cases the Commissioners may acquire the lands by agreement only. The Commisisoners' land and other land acquired under this legislation will be designated a National Historic Park.

The Bill provides that this National Historic Park shall be maintained, managed, controlled, preserved, protected and developed by the Commissioners for the use and benefit of the public as an area in which the historic heritage, culture, traditions and values of the island and its inhabitants will be preserved and demonstrated and its flora, fauna and landscape will be protected. It goes on to set out the duties of the Commissioners in respect of the park, including fostering and promoting its use as a centre of culture, education, leisure and recreation; fostering and promotiong the use of Irish; conserving the flora and fauna of the island and the surrounding seas; conserving or restoring and preserving the traditional dwellings and other buildings on the island and a number of other appropriate functions. The Commissioners will be empowered to make by-laws for the care, detailed management, preservation, protection and development of the park.

There are provisions whereby certain powers of the commissioners may be delegated to Fondúireacht an Bhlascaoid Teoranta. The intention is that the Fondúireacht will be entrusted with the general management of the park. In this way, the local community will be fully involved in the protection and preservation of a valuable and important asset which in one sense belongs to the nation but is very much the special responsibility of the people of Corca Dhuibhne.

An Blascaod Mór will, under these provisions, become a place where the visitor will be brought into immediate contact with much that our European civilisation has half forgotten, a habitat in which the wildlife of the western seaboard can continue to flourish and a historic monument to the genius of the Blasket writers and to the courage and tenacity of the people of the island.

The people of the Blasket Islands were a true community in whom the harsh and often perilous conditions in which they lived fostered a deep sense of mutual interdependence and trust. Their way of life, rich in tradition and folk custom, provided a link with the immemorial past. The details of that way of life have fortunately been preserved for us by many scholars, antiquarians, linguists and literary men, such as John Millington Synge, Karl Marstrander, a Norwegian scholar whom the island people called "an Lochlannach", the Viking, and Robin Flower, whom they affectionately called "Bláithin". Most important of all, however, is the fact that island life has also been preserved for us in the unique writings of the islanders themselves. Visiting scholars such as Brian Ó Ceallaigh and George Thomson encouraged and guided the Blasket writers to undertake some of their most important work. These works have been translated into many languages and recently "An tOileánach", the autobiography of Tomás Ó Criomhthain, has been translated into French by Jean Buhler. Our own Brendan Behan also wrote a beautiful poem about the deserted Blaskets.

No comparable area in the world, inhabited by such a small number of people, has been responsible for such an extraordinary flowering of literary genius. Tomás Ó Criomhthain, Peig Sayers and Muiris Ó Súilleabháin all wrote works, the importance of which, as literary masterpieces, outweighs even their value as records of a life whose dignity and nobility transcended the harsh conditions in which it had to be lived.

In putting this Bill, which has passed all stages in Seanad Éireann, before the Dáil, I am doing so on the basis of all party support. The Bill has the support of all the Deputies and Senators from the Kingdom of Kerry who have been involved in its preparation and the members of Fondúireacht an Bhlascaoid. In this regard, I would like to put on record my appreciation of the very important part played by all of them in helping to make this legislation possible. We had a very full debate in the Seanad during the Second and Committee Stages of the Bill when Senators welcomed it wholeheartedly. I gave an undertaking then that I would propose some slight changes in the Bill in this House to satisfy concerns expressed by some Senators. I am proposing that the Bill as passed by the Seanad be amended on Committee Stage so as to provide that by-laws made by the Commissioners, with the consent of the Minister for the Gaeltacht, under section 3 of the Bill, will be laid before each House of the Oireachtas. I will also propose an amendment which will require the Commissioners, where they consider it appropriate, to consult with the Fondúireacht before by-laws are made.

Ba mhaith liom tréaslú le gach duine a chomhoibrigh go fial flaithiúil san obair seo chun An Blascaod Mór a chaomhnú do na glúnta atá le teacht. Tá mé cínnte go n-éireoidh leis an reachtaíocht atá á plé againn tráthnóna chun na cuspóirí atá roimpi a bhaint amach.

Molaim an Bille do Dháil Éireann.

Ba mhaith liom ar dtús fáilte a chur roimh an Bhille seo atá á phlé againn anseo tráthnóna sa Dáil, Bille a tháinig chugainn ón Seanad agus, mar a dúirt an Taoiseach é féin, cuireadh fáilte fhorleathan roimhe ó gach taobh den Teach nuair a bhí sé ag dul tríd an Seanad. Bille é seo a bhfuil sé mar aidhm agus mar chuspóir aige Páirc Náisiúnta Stairiúil a bhunú nó a chur ar bun ar an Bhlascaod Mhór, agus is beag duine sa tír nár chuala trácht ar na Blascaodaí agus go speisialta ar an Bhlascaod Mhór. Is beag buachaill agus cailín scoile nach bhfuil eolas acu ar an cheantar sin. Tá a fhios againn go raibh na sárleabhair a cuireadh ar fáil, "An tOileánach", "Peig" agus na leabhair eile, go raibh siad ar na cúrsaí sna scoileanna bunoideachais agus iarbhunoideachais sa tír seo agus, leoga, i dtíortha go leor eile ar an domhan. Mar sin, féach, oileán beag, tá clú agus cáil air ar fud an domhain.

Is maith an rud agus is maith an cuimhneamh ar an Bhlascaod go gcuirfí Páirc Náisiúnta Stairiúil ar bun ansin. Tá eolas agam féin ar na himeachtaí atá ag dul ar aghaidh ansin le roinnt blianta. Casadh an Fhondúireacht orainn tá cúpla bliain ó shin, sílim i 1986, nuair a tháinig siad anseo go Baile Atha Cliath. Sílim go raibh an Taoiseach é féin i láthair an tráthóna sin ag Bord Soláthair an Leictreachais, agus chuir siad a gcuid pleananna romhainn ansin. Bhí an Teachta Begley ansin fosta, agus b'fhéidir an Teachta Quill, atá sa Teach, agus fiú amháin an tráthnóna sin bhí tacaíocht iomlán le fáil ag na cuspóirí a bhí ag an Fhondúireacht. Ina dhiaidh sin casadh an Fhondúireacht orainn arís ag an Chomhchoiste Oireachtais don Ghaeilge. Chasamar leo níos mó ná bliain ó shin, agus phléigheamar na ceisteanna arís agus na pleananna a bhí acu, agus bhí sé de ádh agus de phribhléid agam féin agus baill eile den Chomhchoiste cuairt a thabhairt ar Chorca Dhuibhne agus an dúiche stairiúil sin bliain ó shin. Is cuimhin liom, maidin lae bhreá sa samhradh, gur casadh an Fhondúireacht arís orainn i nDún Chaoin, agus thug muid tacaíocht arís do na pleananna a bhí acu, agus is breá an rud go bhfuil sé ag teacht chun cinn anois agus go bhfuil an reachtaíocht ag dul tríd an Seanad agus an Dáil. Agus nuair a chuimhnímid ar an Bhlascaod agus cad a tharla agus mar ab éigean do na daoine é a fhágáil beagnach deich mbliana agus fiche ó shin, cuireann sé ar ár súile dúinn chomh tábhachtach agus atá sé aire agus aird ar leith a thabhairt do na hoileáin fós ar an chósta a bhfuil daoine ina gcónaí iontu, oileáin ar mo chósta féin, Toraigh agus Árainn Mhór, cósta na Gaillimhe agus síos ar fud an chósta go léir. Táimid chun an Pháirc Náisiúnta Stairiúil a bhunú ar an Bhlascaod, ach ba chóir go mbeadh sé de dhualgas orainn, mar sin, gan dearmad a dhéanamh orthu agus gach cuidiú a thig linn a thabhairt do na hoileáin ar an chósta a bhfuil daoine ina gcónaí go fóill orthu, go speisialta na hoileáin a labhartar an teanga Ghaeilge orthu.

We welcome the provision of this Bill for the establishment and maintenance of a national historic park on An Blascaod Mór off the coast of Kerry. It was inevitable that the community of An Blascaod Mór would be forced to leave the island and seek a living elsewhere. With an average holding of three or four acres it was not possible to live a life which depended to a large degree for its survival on fishing and farming.

It is an indication of the tenacity of the people that they lived out their lives as long as was possible both in the physical and mental sense. They toiled on the bare land and drew from it all it could give. They fought with the raging sea and gathered its harvest. Yet it was not possible to continue to live on the island. Apart from the perpetual difficulty of winning food there there was the constant struggle to obtain fuel for the homestead fires. We can recall Peig Sayers' account of her own son Tomás and his much lamented death when he went to gather heather fuel for the fire. That incident is an indication of how constant the struggle for survival was.

It is fitting that the people whose life was a constant struggle for mere existence should be commemorated by a national historic park. There are many other reasons to perpetuate their memory. The people of An Blascaod Mór were unique. They left a large corpus of literary work. They have built their memorial in the words which live on in their books. We now pay our respects in establishing a national historic park, an ongoing tribute to the islanders who have, through their writings, left us their own legacy. It is fitting that the very soil which was an inspiration to the islanders and their literary creations should now be held by the Irish nation as an indication of its respect for the past generations of An Blascaod Mór's community. Although Tomás Ó Criomhthain, Peig Sayers and Muiris Ó Suilleabháin are the most famous of the island's writers, An Blascaod Mór has been an inspiration for many more writers and artists. Such a small community, an island community, has never in the history of this country shown such a great flowering. Many of the authors wrote under a system which ignored their language and often expressed hostility towards it. In the face of those odds, without official support, the writings of the islanders flourished and brought international recognition to An Blascaod Mór.

The people of the island received recognition for their allegiance to their native culture. They were revered because of their faithfulness to their way of life, their lack of pretension and their ability to convey to the world the uniqueness of their existence.

When we stand in Dún Chaoin and look out across the ocean to An Blascaod Mór we marvel at the contribution of so minute a community to the life of this country in the past century. That contribution has not ceased as there are regular additions to the literature from islanders and their descendants. One calls to mind the writings of one Pádraig O Méalóid, who was a very close relative of the major Blasket writer Tomás Ó Criomhthain.

The National Historic Park is a fitting tribute as it will preserve much of the physical inspiration for future generations. The community of An Blascaod Mór, although scattered to the four corners of the earth, is a source of encouragement for us all. Today, as we stand on the brink of greater integration into Europe and with the advent of universal communication and entertainment, we fear for our unique traditions and heritage. An Blascaod Mór received the attention of Europe. Some of Europe's most famous scholars came to the island and they were made welcome. The islanders earned their respect.

They did not grovel to the academics from both England and the continent. They had no need to. They were welcomed and not seen as a threat, because the islanders were steadfast in their adherence to their own form of life. Although an Blascaod Mór has been deserted for years it has a lesson for us today. It can teach us the value of self-respect. If we are strong in our own culture we can withstand the detrimental affect of alien influences, absorb what is beneficial and thereby strengthen our own ethos.

The islanders welcomed the visitors and it is fitting that this Bill will provide for the return of the visitors to An Blascaod Mór. We are aware that the island has much to offer the visitor apart from its scenic setting. The island will give an insight into the traditions of former generations; it will give us an understanding of the constant battle which the islanders waged with the elements.

In my own constituency, Tory Island, further from the mainland than An Blascaod Mór, is seeking assistance to preserve its community. The island's cooperative launched a development programme recently and I am appealing to An Taoiseach as Minister for the Gaeltacht to provide the necessary support for the community on Tory Island to enable that vigorous community to continue to live on the island as they wish to do. Tory has an activie community which faced many difficulties and the provision of a safe harbour is an immediate need.

We hope that the development of a national historic park will lead to increased employment in the locality. It would be an appropriate tribute to the past generations of islanders who, through their work, raised the banner of An Blascaod Mór if the present and future generations were to receive employment there. We have already seen the expertise of the Office of Public Works in operation in managing national parks and they have achieved a great deal. They have, through their professionalism, been responsible for a major growth in the tourist industry in the areas in which they have been involved.

In Glenveagh National Park in Donegal, the board are involved in excellent work and they attracted almost 100,000 tourists to the national park last year. I hope that with their involvement in An Blascaod Mór, similar success will be achieved.

Tomás Ó Criomhthain said: "Ní bheidh ár léitheidí ann arís", and Peig Sayers said that she did not think that there was a person — chomh Gaelach léi. Both were correct.

This Bill will establish a fitting monument, not only preserving their homes but also the wonderful flora and fauna of the south-west of Ireland, a unique flora in its close relationship with the flora of the Iberian Peninsula. That tie with the south-west mainland of Europe adds to the importance of the island and our need to preserve it.

An Blascaod Mór will be a major attraction which will draw visitors not only from Ireland but from many parts of the world. They will come to pay homage to a people who have made a major contribution to the rural literature of modern Europe. We are, however, uneasy about the lack of clarity concerning the acquisition of lands on the island and we earnestly hope that this matter will be rectified amicably. It is imperative that the matter of land transfer is solved to the satisfaction of all parties, because of the nature of the project and the evident public support it enjoys. The project has received coverage outside the country and it could draw adverse attention were the problem not solved quickly. It would be disastrous were lengthy legal procedures to arise, delaying the establishment of the national historic park, and it is certain that it would be to the detriment of the project were this Bill found to be unconstitutional or even if the President had to refer it to the Supreme Court before signing it.

Has the Bill received efficient attention from its drafters? Should the matter of acquisition of the island have been clarified before the Bill was introduced? After all, this is not emergency legislation. The proposal for the establishment of a national park has been in circulation for some time and it seems that the Bill has been introduced before all problems associated with getting the project off the ground have been solved to the satisfaction of the parties involved. I hope all this will be cleared up and that it will not unduly delay the establishment of the national park.

Thar rud ar bith eile is í an Ghaeilge a ndeachaigh an Blascaod Mór chun tairbhe di. Is chuig an oileán iargúlta seo in imeall na bóchna a tháinig mórscoláirí na teanga ó thar lear, daoine iad a raibh clú agus cáil orthu as siocair a saothair acadúil, daoine mar Thompson, Jackson, Marstrander agus An Bláithín. Bhí urraim acu don teanga agus nocht siad an t-ómós sin do bhunadh an oileáin. Bhí sin ina chuidiú ar muintir an oileáin. Ba mhór an t-ábhar misnigh ag an phobal na daoine uaisle seo a fheiceáil ag deol na teanga. Tábhachtach agus mar a bhí sé do phobal an oileáin, bhí sé lán chomh tábhachtach do mhuintir na hÉireann, mar thug sé tuiscint dóibh ar earra luachmhar, an teanga seo acu féin a bhí ina seilbh. Ar an drochuair, ní ann don phobal a thuill oiread measa, a thuilleadh, ach seasann an tairbhe a rinne siad go fóill. Is cóir dúinn a gcuimhne a choinneáill buan ar an charraig lom a bhí mar áras acu. Bhí siad dílis don teanga, agus ní amháin sin ach bhí siad dian dícheallach á saothrú. Bheadh sinne ag déanamh éagóir orthu mura ndéanfaimis an Ghaeilge a chur chun cinn sa Pháirc nua Náisiúnta Stairiúil, agus tá áthas orm go mbeidh páirtíocht ag Roinn na Gaeltachta san fhiontar nuair a bheidh sé faoi lán seol, mar tá a fhios agam go ndéanfaidh siadsan a ndícheall chun an Ghaeilge a chur chun cinn ansin. Tá súil againn go mbeidh an coincheap sin in uachtar nuair a bheidh Oifig na nOibreacha Poiblí ag leagan amach polasaí i leith na páirce.

Is cloch choirnéil an Blaoscad Mór in oidhreacht na tíre. Cá bhfios nach gcuirfidh sé borradh agus fás faoin oileán in athuair agus go mbeadh a ainm in airde réime i gcéin agus i gcóngar. Ba dheas dá mbeadh cónaí le bheith ar an oileán arís mura mbeadh ann ach an beagán a mbeadh cúram na dturasóirí orthu.

Arís, cuirim fáilte roimh an Bhille agus beidh suim againn sna himeachtaí ansin, agus nuair a bheas an pháirc faoi lán seol beimid uilig ag tabhairt cuairt air.

Maraon lena bhfuil ráite cheana féin, cuirimse chomh maith fíorchaoin fáilte roimh an mBille seo agus geallaimse tacaíocht, mo thacaíocht féin agus tacaíocht an Pháirtí Dhaonlathaigh, don Bhille agus do gach rud atá i gceist sa Bhille seo. Tá áthas ormsa go rabhas féin ar dhuine de na Teachtaí ba thúisce a thug cabhair airgid don Fhondúireacht nuair a thosnaíodar. Chomh maith leis sin, agus maraon lena bhfuil ráite ag an Teachta McGinley bhíos i láthair ag na cruinnithe go léir a bhí ag lucht Fhondúireacht an Blascaoid le Comhchoiste an Oireachtais don Ghaeilge agus na cruinnithe eile a bhí ag an bhFondúireacht leis an Taoiseach anseo agus le muintir na Dála ó thosnaigh an feachtas chun an Bille seo a thabhairt os comhair na Dála.

Dá bhrí sin, tugann sé áthas agus sásamh domsa an Bille a bheith os comhair na Dála mar atá sé tráthnóna inniu. Ba mhaith liom tréaslú leis an Taoiseach as ucht an tsuim speisialta a chuir sé féin sa ghnó seo agus as ucht an am a chaith sé chun cuspóirí an Bhille seo a thabhairt chun cinn. Tréaslaim chomh maith le muintir na Fondúireachta agus le muintir Dhún Chaoin agus cheantar sin Chiarraí as ucht an éacht oibre a dheineadar chun gnó na Fondúireachta a thabhairt go dtí an tslí faoi mar atá sé anseo inniu. Gan aon amhras, chuireadar chun oibre le dúthracht a thaispeáin dúinn go léir gur féidir rudaí suntasacha a dhéanamh fiú amháin nuair a bhíonn airgead gann agus nuair a bhionn a lán rudaí eile idir lámha ag daoine gnóthacha. Thaispeáin muintir na Fondúireachta gur féidir sin a dhéanamh. Mar sin, ba mhaith liom moladh speisialta a thabhairt dóibh siúd agus do gach duine a chabhraigh leo chun an Bille seo agus an dréacht-Bhille a thabhairt chun críche.

It is with deep delight that I stand to praise this Bill, which opens up a number of possibilities for the nation. As a little girl I used to go to that part of County Kerry during my summer holidays to learn Irish in the Gaeltacht, which is not as good now as it ought to be. Also I drank, as school children and teachers did, of the writings and literature of that great island. Therefore it is with deep delight that I stand to give my full approval and support to this Bill. Today is a proud day for the nation. Despite all the emphasis nowadays on economic, scientific and technological matters, this Bill is an indication that we have not lost our sense of priorities or values. This evening, which is a very busy one for most of us, we are pledging our support for this Bill and to do everything we can to achieve its aims and objectives.

My quotation is not very accurate but following his death, somebody said of Macbeth. "Nothing in his life Became him like the leaving it." Perhaps the same can be said of the 25th Dáil — nothing becomes the Dáil more than this second last Bill. I think this is the second last Bill, the Universities Bill is due to be debated tomorrow. Be that as it may, it is only fit and proper — not taking too much credit — that our generation recognise the value of this island. There is an obligation on us to ensure that this island and all it stands for is preserved as a natural birth right for the next generation and that this island is acquired and developed as a national historic park in the manner laid out in this Bill. That is the right thing for us to do. If we do otherwise we will stand condemned.

I warmly congratulate the Taoiseach and the members of the Fondúireacht who worked relentlessly during the past few years to collect money, gain support and iron out the serious problems which seemed to beset this project at its initiation. There is no doubt that they deserve great credit and our admiration for what they have done. Let this be a headline for other parts of the country which have the potential to do something similar when there is a strong local commitment which springs out of a deep conviction.

When people are prepared to do what has been done they receive a lot of support, and in this case they have received the support of the people who matter. I have no doubt that the blessing which the Taoiseach has given to the project has been of enormous advantage to them. I welcome the provision which allows for the making of by-laws to ensure that the park is adequately preserved and developed. Every effort must be made to ensure that the island is linguistically, and culturally as well as geographically accessible to all people, both Irish and otherwise. In this respect I would strongly advocate the establishment of an intrpretative centre and a resource centre on the mainland, preferably at Dun Chaoin, to act as a sort of shop window for the island so that both visitors and our own people will be lured to the island from what they see and learn at that centre. Such a centre must be provided if the aims and objectives of this Bill are to be fully realised.

I ask that provision be made for this at the same time. A centre should be provided on the mainland, preferably at Dun Chaoin, properly laid out, to bring a living dynamic island to the notice of people who want to visit that part of County Kerry. I hope they will be encouraged to visit that part of County Kerry, because it is the ambition of every right minded person to market this island. It is one of our greatest selling points and we should market it well both at home and abroad. That is the first recommendation I would make.

It is worth mentioning once again — and this was referred to earlier this evening — that last week there was another translation of An tOileánach from Switzerland. It is extremely ironic that most of the interest in the island has been shown by scholars outside Ireland. This would seem to suggest that An tOileánach, Fiche Bliain ag Fás, and Peig are more widely read by adult communities outside Ireland. If this were to continue to be the case it would be a great pity.

Each time I visit Sceilg Mhichíl — once a year — it strikes me very strongly how few Irish people visit the island. One may find this little rock full of young Germans, young French or young Dutch, but very few Irish people. This points to a lack in our education system in that we have failed to instil in our young people an appreciation of what Sceilg Mhichíl stands for. I hope the same will not happen to this new national historic park when it comes into being. I hope the education system will make every effort to ensure that every child is instilled with an appreciation of what that island stands for and what it means to them, because it is their inheritance.

Because of the way some books about the island were presented, some people unfortunately were put off visiting the island. That position has now changed. That is the kind of change we must encourage and foster because the last thing we want to see is this island becoming a curiosity for a small minority of scholars. It would not be worth the effort if this were to happen. It must be open to all our people. If this is achieved great possibilities will be opened up. I hope this will happen parallel with the development of the island.

Let me say a few words on the Irish language, given that we now stand on the brink of 1992. Extra demands are going to be put on our young people to acquire and foster oral competency in modern European languages. However, there is a mistaken idea abroad that when this happens in our schools, the Irish language will go into decline. I am not one of those people who say this. As a matter of fact, I would argue the opposite will be the case. Our people have access, through the school system, to two languages from a very early age. This predisposes them to picking up a third or fourth language much more easily than young people who go to a school where they are taught only one language from the start.

I hope the opening up of modern European languages and literature will enhance our knowledge and appreciation of our own language and literature. If our knowledge of the language declines, then our interest in our literature will also decline and fewer people will have access to the poetry and prose of the great writers whom we celebrate in this Bill, and the objectives of this Bill would be defeated. I say strongly to those who might argue that less effort should be put into teaching and learning the Irish language that this is not so. There must be more of an effort put into the teaching and learning of the Irish language in a European sense because undoubtedly languages nourish one another and feed off one another in the same way as cultures and literature nourish and feed off one another.

I hope that the passing of this Bill and all it stands for will lead to a dynamic enrichment of our own culture in a European sense and that we would, through open dialogue with Germans and French in their own language, have access to their literature and at the same time open wider access to our literature among the Germans, French and other Europeans. We have a lot to bring culturally to the rich tapestry of European culture and the imminence of 1992 should help to focus our attention on that point. It should also help to enhance our respect, appreciation and love for things Irish, literary or otherwise, and the newly restored and revitalised Blasket Island would be the kind of powerhouse to feed and nourish that ideal. We should become very fulfilled and rounded Europeans with a great love and appreciation for our own literature, customs, flora and fauna and equally open to the literature, writings and customs of other European people so that one would enrich and nourish the other. There should be a great sort of second coming and revitalisation of Irish culture as a result of this Bill coinciding almost directly with the adoption of the Single European Act.

There are times in history when certain things come together, sometimes by accident and other times by design. It is a happy thing for us that these two matters coincide. The adoption of the Single European Act opens up cultural as well as economic possibilities. I hope that what I have outlined will happen and that those of us who have influence will spare no effort to make sure that it does happen. What was begun in the Seanad last week and which will be taken a stage further in this House this evening will be well worth all the effort and will bring a great feeling of enrichment to Irish people and to Europeans.

I have very few worries about the Bill but one of them is in relation to land, which I hope will not be a source of conflict. This ought to be a true occasion for celebration and I hope that the land issue will be resolved and that it will be acquired by agreement if at all possible. That is important for everybody because we need all the support we can get to make sure that the objectives and the aims of this Bill are fully met. The acquisition of the land is very important so, from the start, I hope that any potential conflict will be warded off because if it slows down the momentum maybe the great occasion will pass. Certainly the voluntary for fundraising for this kind of project tends to diminish if something does not happen on the ground. That is a fact of life. If legal wrangling were to slow down the development of this historic park one of the effects undoubtedly would be that voluntary subscribers would be inclined to subsidise it less and less or to delay their subsidy. That is just one of the many dangers I see if there is trouble in acquiring the land.

The goodwill and fervour with which key people approach this Bill must be harnessed and kept from being diluted or diminished. I welcome the Bill. I ask that an interpretative centre be provided at the same time as the park comes into being as it would be the key to making the park successful. A number of people who obviously are convinced of the value of this project and what it stands for have spoken very passionately about it. I read all the Seanad debates on the subject, which were a delight. However, we must not keep this park for ourselves, we must pass it on to the next generation and to a great many more people who perhaps are not convinced of or conversant with the value of the writings and all that this island, An Blascaod Mór, stands for.

Guím rath agus rathúnas ar an mBille seo.

Ba mhaith liom céad míle fáilte a chur roimh an mBille seo. Is é mo thuairim gurb é an rud is suntasaí a tharla i gceantar Gaeltachta le blianta fada. Táimid an-bhuíoch den Taoiseach, i gCiarraí, mar gheall ar an tsuim phearsanta a chuir sé sa Bhille. Níl aon dabht ach go bhfuil Peig Sayers, Tomás Ó Criomhthain agus Muiris Ó Súilleabháin an-bhródúil má tá siad ag éisteacht linn, agus is é mo thuairim féin go bhfuil siad. Bhí siad i ngrá leis an gcultúr Gaelach, leis an traidisiún Gaelach, agus ar bharr sin, an teanga. Dúirt Peig Sayers ina leabhar, "Slán le beartaí an tsaoil seo anois, agus go mór mór leis an aimsir aoibhinn aerach atá caite agam anseo. Is baolach liom ná déanfad a thuille saothair feasta ar mhaithe le teangain na sárfhear, ach tá cion duine déanta agam, b'fhéidir. Do dhéanfainn oiread eile, agus ba chroí liom é, ach tá an chairde caite."

Unquestionably if Peig Sayers were listening to us now — and I have no doubt she is — she would be extremely proud, as would her literary genius fellow islanders Tomás Ó Criomhthain and Muiris Ó Súilleabháin. She and they, through this Bill, achieved what would have been their dream, which was a very simple one, to preserve all things Irish as they loved everything Irish.

The Great Blasket Island stands like a Colossus off the coast of west Kerry. It is a monument to a proud past, a testament to a massive culture, a relic of another age and another time. It is true that if these literary geniuses had not existed it would have been difficult to understand that age and time. They were part of an age and time that could not possibly have been understood without them. To their eternal credit they preserved the Irish language just as they held their complete faith in God and in the hereafter.

Their lives were simple and hard lived, they did not have it easy. Peig Sayers said: "Ní raibh sé sámh". Apart from the fact that they lived difficult lives and found it hard to get by there was a spirit in them that could not be denied. They possessed something that could not be defined and perhaps it might be best described as a sense of freedom, of being, a sense of community, of feeling for one another and, above all, a sense of patriotism. They were patriots to the core, honest, simple, decent and dignified people and they exhibited that in all they did, in everything they wrote and in all they said.

That island has a massive heritage. It possesses something that is rare in the world today. The development of the Great Blasket Island as a national historic park places it in a unique position because, unquestionably, it is unique. It is marvellous to see the Bill going through the Dáil at a time when the country has its own difficulties and after the Government were obliged over the last number of years to try to rectify the financial problems facing us. It is marvellous in an age of materialism to see that the spirit of the nation is very much alive. In this regard it is only fitting that I, a Deputy from South Kerry, should pay a personal tribute on behalf of the people of County Kerry, and on my own behalf, to the Taoiseach, without whose help the Bill could never have been brought before the House. His efforts in regard to it are deeply appreciated and they epitomise what has been true of his entire political career, his commitment to Irish culture and the Irish way of life.

I should like to pay tribute to Fondúireacht an Bhlascaoid, which was largely responsible for the Bill. They saw a unique opportunity and grasped it. They worked themselves tirelessly in order to achieve their aim. I am delighted for them this evening because what they have achieved is something of historic importance, something that will live on for generations of Irish people to know, love and enjoy. The development represents a unique opportunity for the Dingle Peninsula. With the development of Dingle harbour and the opening of an international airport at Farranfore, the entire Dingle Peninsula has been opened up in a way hitherto unimagined. Those developments represent an opportunity for the Dingle Peninsula to develop its tourism industry in a way that could not have been envisaged some few years ago. I have no doubt that this national historic monument will attract to the Dingle Peninsula those who have a love of things Irish, those with a sense of history and those with a spirit of freedom.

It is true to say that off the Kerry coast there are two of the most important historical and archaeological islands in western Europe. Skellig Rock, which is off the coast of the Iveragh Peninsula, and the Great Blasket island are two of the most significant national monuments which this country, or any country, could possess. This is a marvellous day for Irish heritage, a marvellous day for the Irish language, a marvellous day for Irish tradition and a marvellous day for all those who love things Irish, its history and its literature.

Cuirim fáilte roimh an mBille, agus fáilte Chiarraíoch dó. Tá draíocht dhothuigthe ag baint leis na Blascaodaí leis na cianta, draíocht a mheall na scoláirí ón Eoraip, ó Mheiriceá agus ó gach páirt den domhan, mar a dúirt an Taoiseach, cosúil le Marstrander, Robin Flower agus John Millington Synge agus a leithéidí. Is iontach go bhfuil an draíocht chéanna ann fós, agus bhí sí le feiscint sa scannán iontach a dhein Muiris Mac Conghail. Is dócha gurb é an draíocht chéanna a mheall an Taoiseach, chun seilbh a ghlacadh ar Inis Mhicileán. Bhí saol crua ag muintir an Oileáin riamh, agus is deacair iad a lochtú nuair a thug siad cúl ar an oileán agus aghaidh ar an mórthír i 1953. Ná dúirt na scríbhneoirí ón Oileán "Nach breá mór fairsingí Éireann."

Tá seanaithne ag mo mhuintir ar an Oileán le fada an lá. Bhí mé féin anchairdiúil leis an bhfile, Micheál Ó Gaoithín, mac Pheig Sayers, agus ceann de na cuimhní is buaine agam ná lá a shín sé píosa páipéir amach dom agus é ar leaba a bháis san ospidéal sa Daingean. Léas é. Bhí dán scríofa aige ag comóradh oscailt Scoil Dhún Chaoin. Sa dán a scríobh sé an-mholadh don Chomhrialtas agus don Aire Oideachais, Risteard de Búrca, agus bhí trí véarsa aige mar gheall orm féin. Ceart, is fíor a rá, bhí sin ar cheann de na bronntanais is luachmhaire a fuair mé riamh. Is ceart agus is cóir dúinn ár n-oidhreacht a chosaint, agus ar an bpointe seo tréaslaím leis an Taoiseach de bharr gach rud atá déanta aige go dtí seo agus do na hoileánaigh atá fágtha i nDún Chaoin. Deirim leis an Taoiseach ag an bpointe seo gur cheart deontais speisialta a thabhairt dóibh chun maireachtaint. Níl sé ró-éascaí do chuid acu, agus ba cheart do Oifig na nOibreacha Poiblí na tithe a thóg siad idir 1953 go 1954 a fheabhsú agus é sin a dhéanamh anois.

The Blasket islands were inhabited by a community of self-sufficient people living by the sea and on the sea where the ill wind often brought a rich harvest and a sudden storm ended in tragedy. They were a community of families living as families should and those of us who were fortunate enough to know them were enriched by their behaviour and example. Theirs was an uncorrupted outlook and philosophy of life which was uncontaminated by radio or television or any outside influence. Tá seanfhocal ann, pós duine ón oileán agus pósann tú an t-oileán ar fad. My family had a long association with the islanders. Indeed, two of my grand-aunts married men from the Blasket Islands and if they were alive today — I am sure the Taoiseach will take joy in this — they would be delighted to see their grandson, T.P.Ó Conchubhair contesting the Údarás election in Munster in the coming weeks on behalf of the Fine Gael Party.

The Blaskets, as the Taoiseach pointed out, have given the country some of its finest literature. Tá ráiteas ann, ní bheidh a leithéidí arís ann.

It would be remiss of me if I did not pay tribute in the House to the man who in my opinion opened the floodgates. I am referring to Brian O'Ceallaigh of Killarney, a secondary school inspector in the early years of native Government. He may have led an unusual life but surely he deserves better than to be buried in an unmarked grave in Yugoslavia. Beannacht Dé le hanamnacha na marbh.

What is proposed in the Bill represents a move in the right direction but some of the provisions are of the sledgehammer-and-nut variety. I am concerned about some of the provisions but if the Taoiseach can allay those concerns I will gladly accept them. The people targetted under section 4 are the only ones who have expended any major sums of money and put time and effort into the restoration and preservation of the island, including in particular the house of Peig Sayers, over the past 35 years. Section 4(2) is also divisive because it sets up two classes of people, some whose property is exempt from nationalisation and others whose property will be liable to compulsory purchase. The Office of Public Works will be able to pick and choose any piece of property, either by agreement or compulsorily, and this will further damage the value of the remaining parts of the island.

Last but not least — and I say this sincerely — with regard to the holdings of the islanders which are free from this legislation, section 4 will damage the value of property not liable to compulsory nationalisation. Such property will become liable to nationalisation if transferred or sold to any person of non-island extraction. It is unlikely that any bank or institution would lend money on the security of such property, whether for improvement or otherwise.

I attended several dinners of the Fondúireacht and at the last dinner which was held in the ESB office in Fitzwilliam Square I suggested that somebody should have approached the owners of the property and come to an agreement. I have in my possession a letter written on behalf of an American widow who owns half the land on the island. This letter is sent by Williams, Stevens, McCarville & Frizzell, Attorneys at law, Buffalo, New York, and addressed to the Honorable Margaret Heckler, 42 Eglin Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4. The letter states:

Dear Ambassador,

We communicate with you by facsimile copy because of the apparent pressure of time and our desires to protect the interests of an American citizen in Great Blasket Island.

We enclose a copy of my letter of May 9, 1989 to the Irish Times ...

I will not go into that. The letter continues:

Phillips Brooks was a very loyal and creative member of the United States Information Service and at times during his career served in Mexico City, Beirut, Paris and London. He inherited a very modest sum from an aunt in Buffalo and it was through this connection that I came to know him and his lovely wife. When he informed me of the original 1972 investment in Great Blasket Island, I must confess I was concerned that this might be the Irish equivalent of the Brooklyn Bridge. Phil was so trusting and honorable and had great faith in his Irish solicitor, Peter Callery, that I felt somehow, some day the investment would pay off. His untimely death in 1975 left a wife and children in a strained financial situation which they have enjoyed to this date. The possibility of realizing something on the original investment would be of considerable importance to the family and if you can put this correspondence in the hands of the appropriate member of your staff, it would be greatly appreciated.

This is the paragraph I take exception to and it is uncalled for:

We have been favoured with copies of some of the recent extracts from the Irish Press and I would have to guess that no one in the Parliament would be too sympathetic with the interests of an "outsider" so that we are in hopes that your good offices can be of assistance.

We feel sure that the sale of Brooks' interest could easily be negotiated without the necessity of nationalisation as proposed by the Parliament. Many thanks for your interest, concern and protective arm.

Yours sincerely,

E.W. Dann Stevens.

That kind of publicity for this Parliament is not good enough and is why I hope the Taoiseach will engage in consultations. He has it in his power to ensure that negotiations will be way ahead of nationalisation. If this goes into the courts and there is a constitutional case, as has been threatened by one individual, hundreds of thousands of pounds could be lost and, as Deputy Maureen Quill said, the momentum of this project would be lost also.

There are many islands in this group, Beig Inis, Inis Tuaiscirt, and I know one of the owners of the other islands is prepared to sell it to the State, if it wants to buy it. Perhaps the Taoiseach will include his island for posterity so that it will stay with the State.

The Bill breaks new ground in regard to what is to be done with An Blascaod Mór and provides for its restoration by the State before handing it over to the Fondúireacht. I have a slight reservation about this and I believe the State should have some clawback. Perhaps the by-laws which are to be made by the Office of Public Works would cover the point I am making and if the Taoiseach can assure me on this point I will be happy. I believe the Fondúireacht should only get this property on a three year lease and if it does not work out as it should, the State should repossess it. The present Fondúireacht is top class but perhaps the next group of people who take over will not be as good. I should like to protect the State's interests, and I know the Taoiseach will be very interested in this aspect also.

As the Taoiseach knows, there will be a need for licensed ferries and proper landing facilities will have to be provided both in Dún Chaoin and on the island. That has to be our first priority. I believe I played a small part in this, even if I have to blow my own trumpet here this afternoon. I was Parliamentary Secretary in the Office of Public Works during the period 1975-77 and we were concerned that the island was being bought up. I should like to put on record that the men in the Office of Public Works at that time were excellent. Danny Lynch was my private secretary at that time but he has now gone to greater things — he is PRO of the GAA. He was dispatched to Dún Chaoin and while the midnight oil was burning in Kruger's pub, Lord have mercy on the dead, he hammered out an agreement with some of the islanders so that the State would have a holding on the island and it could not be taken over entirely. I should like to put on the record the part Danny Lynch played, while the midnight oil was burning and I suppose over the pints he drank slowly, in hammering out that agreement. He did tremendous work and we supported him. As I said, I was in the privileged position of secretary in the Office of Public Works at that time.

I compliment the Taoiseach for bringing in this legislation. His visits to Dingle have done nothing but good for the locality. Everytime he visits the area it means a lot to the people there. I know the Taoiseach's heart and soul is in the legislation, and if he allays the fears of genuine people, apart from the people who have a pecuniary interest in the legislation, I would be satisfied.

Ba mhaith liom comhghairdeas a ghabháil leis an Taoiseach agus leis an Rialtas as an mBille seo a thabhairt chun cinn. Is é seo an chéad Pháirc Náisiúnta sa Ghaeltacht, agus tá áthas orm gur tugadh aitheantas don Ghaeltacht seo tríd an mBille seo a thabhairt isteach agus Páirc Náisiúnta a oscailt ann. Is é seo an t-oileán ina raibh Peig Sayers, Muiris Ó Súilleabháin agus mórán scríbhneoirí eile, agus sna leabhair atá scríofa acu siúd tá sé an-fhurasta an Ghaeilge a léamh agus a thuiscint iontu de bharr an tslí inar labhraíodar féin agus an tslí inar scríobhadar iad. Sna Blascaodaí tá sé bailithe, ár gcultúr, béaloideas agus stair na Gaeltachta.

Tá súil agam go mbeidh pleananna againn chun Páirc Náisiúnta dá leithéid a oscailt sna Gaeltachtaí eile, i mo Ghaeltacht féin i gCorcaigh, am éigin. Mar níl aon dabht ar domhan ná gurb é a leithéid seo de áit a mheallfaidh tuarasóirí thar lear le teacht go dtí ár dtír, agus is é an chéad rud a déarfaidhís leo féin ná, "Cá bhfuil an áit nó an bhfuil aon áit acu ina bhféadfaimis a fháil amach cad a tharla blianta ó shin nó cad é an saghas cultúir a bhí ag muintir na Gaeltachta?" Anois tá áit againn, a bhuíochas sin don Taoiseach agus don Rialtas as an áit seo a chur ar fáil sna Blascaodaí.

Tá áthas orm, leis, go dtabharfaidh sé spreagadh don Ghaeilge, agus go speisialta do dhaoine óga sa Ghalltacht. Mar tá rud nua, sílim, agus go speisialta ó bhuaileamar isteach sa Chomhargadh, i measc an aosa óig, nach bhfuil aon ghá in aon chor leis, nach bhfuil puinn measa acu ar ár dteanga. Ach ní fheicim, nuair a bheimid inár mbaill den Chómhargadh i 1992 cad ina thaobh nach féidir linn ár dteanga féin a bheith againn. Níl aon dabht nach bhfuil sí ar an teanga is furasta a fhoghlaim. Tuigim go maith Béarlóirí, an mhuintir óg, go speisialta leanaí óga, go bhfuil sé an-fhurasta dóibh an Ghaeilge a fhoghlaim agus teacht amach go soiléir lenár dteanga Ghaeilge i bhfad níos fusa ná bheith ag labhairt i mBéarla. Sin é an taobh chrua, ag cur tuilleadh brú, agus i gCiarraí, tá a fhios agam go bhfuil jab an-mhaith déanta air seo, agus bheinn ag iarraidh go leanfaí leis an saghas sin tacaíochta a thabhairt dár dteanga.

Gan dabht, na leabhair agus uile a scríobh na daoine ó na hoileáin seo, ní fhéadfaí riamh dearmad a dhéanamh orthu. Bheadh eagla orm, leis an nGaeilge nua mar atá sí tagtha isteach, go dtógfadh sí áit na scríbhneoirí seo, ach anois nuair atá an pháirc náisiúnta á cur ar fáil ag an Rialtas, tá sin ag cinntiú go leanfaidh an obair atá déanta ag Peig Sayers agus a comrádaithe ansin, go mbeidh sé ann le feiscint thar na blianta ag teacht. Tá inár nGaeltacht féin tuarasóirí ag teacht ó áiteanna thar lear, agus tá páirceanna dá leithéid, ach ní páirceanna náisiúnta iad, ach tá sé an-bhreá do mhuintir na Gaeltachta a rá leo, "Féach, má théann tú amach anseo." Tá áit amháin in aice liom, mar Ghuagán Barra in mBéal Átha an Ghaorthaidh, agus nuair a thagann na mílte tuarasóirí ann i rith an tsamhraidh, agus an rud a bhíonn siad a lorg ná conas a mhair na daoine ann, cad é an tslí bheatha a bhí acu blianta agus blianta ó shin, tá roinnt de le feiscint san áit sin, in nGuagán Barra, mar a deirim. Tá aithne agat féin air, a Cheann Comhairle, chaithis tréimhse ann, cúig nó sé bliana déag ó shin, agus is minic a labhraís faoi, agus sin é atá ag teastáil go speisialta sna Gaeltachtaí. Is í an Ghaeltacht an t-aon áit atá sásta an cultúr seo a thabhairt chun cinn agus a choinneáil. Má fhaigheann muintir na Gaeltachta tuilleadh tacaíochta chun é sin a dhéanamh — ní an iomad atá ag teastáil uathu chun é sin a dhéanamh — níl aon dabht ná go ndéanfaidh siad é sin agus go bhfuilid sásta gach rud a dhéanamh chun t-aitheantas sin a thabhairt agus an sean-nós a choinneáil ina bheatha.

Féachann muintir na tíre ar an Dáil agus orainne anseo mar dhream nach bhfuil aon rud ag déanamh buairimh dúinn ach a bheith ag déileáil le hairgead agus le gnóthaí na tíre gach lá den bhliain a fhad is atáimid anseo, agus nach bhfuil aon rud ar intinn againn ach a bheith ag cur cánach ar dhaoine agus ag plé timpeall leis. Ach leis an mBille seo tá sé soiléir do mhuintir na tíre ar fad go bhfuil níos mó ná sin ag tarlú anseo sa Dáil. Nílimid ag déanamh dearmaid ar ár gcultúr, agus is ceart nach ndéanfaimis. Nuair a léifidh siad sna páipéir go raibh an Bille seo á phlé, cuirfidh sé i gcuimhne dóibh go bhfuil obair mhaith déanta dóibh. Arís, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle, ba mhaith liom mo bhuíochas a ghabháil leis an Taoiseach. Tá súil agam go bhfaighfidh sé gach tacaíocht atá ag teastáil chun an Bille seo a chur tríd anseo.

A Leas-Cheann Comhairle, I am much obliged to you for having given me this opportunity to say a few words on this Bill, first, because I very much approve of its provisions and, second, for what I shall call sentimental reasons.

My first introduction to the Blasket Islands was back in the late thirties when a book entitled An tOileánach by Tomás Ó Criomhthain was prescribed by the Incorporated Law Society of Ireland for their second Irish examination. I studied that book and often think of it with affection. I made mental resolutions then to spend my holidays there but, like many such resolutions, I regret to say I did not keep any of them. Even at this late date I feel a great affection for the Blasket Islands, derived from my studying of that book for the second Irish examination, in which I am glad to say I was successful.

I congratulate the Taoiseach on having taken the initiative to preserve the last of the Gaeltacht Blaskets as a national park or property. That initiative has my full approval. In my capacity as Minister for Lands I had the idea of initiating legislation to protect our off shore islands. When I say "protect" I mean protect them for the nation to ensure that they do not fall into wrong hands and be abused or misused. I regret to say also that I was led to believe, at that time, that to enumerate or list our offshore islands would constitute a mighty task, never mind taking them under control. With the experience I now have, had I to do it again, I would overcome that difficulty. All I was suggesting then was that they be protected, that steps be taken to ensure that they would not be lost to the nation or fall into hands from which it would be very difficult, or shall I say very expensive, to retrieve them. I am glad to note that the Taoiseach himself has settled on the Blaskets, and that the first step, at any rate, has been taken to create a national park there. I give that my wholehearted support.

I would like to refer to the other point, that is, that our offshore islands should be listed, surveyed or enumerated and should be protected, but not in a narrow or a troublesome way, for this nation and that, in order to develop them — that is the word that would be used to do whatever was going to be done with them, though it might not always be development — and to change their use, the permission of the Department of Lands or the equivalent of the Land Commission should be required. I say this because once these islands, or any island or property, fall into private ownership and are developed it is then very difficult to get them back or to put them to proper use.

I do not propose to ramble on, for reasons which most of you will know. I am not in a fit condition to do that at present but I will summarise what I have been saying by giving my absolute approval, as a former Minister for Lands, to the proposed development, to the protection of the islands and to the scheme outlined in this Bill. I congratulate all those concerned with it.

Looking to the future, I do not suppose many of the islands have changed hands but now is the time to protect them, it is not when they have changed hands and become valuable and partially developed that it would be possible to protect them. I suggest that the Government seriously consider enacting new law which would make the consent of the Board of Works or the Land Commission a necessity before any change of ownership or change of use is carried out to these islands.

While I may not be strictly in order now — and that is the wrong thing for any person on his feet to say because he is putting all concerned on notice — I note that the Land Commission is being abolished and that the Government have given their benediction to that. The abolition of the Land Commission without any protective machinery being put in its place is a great mistake because the land will be grabbed and gobbled up by people and the small man will be deprived of increasing his land or of acquiring a farm.

I wish to conclude by saying that I sincerely hope the Land Commission will not be abolished or if it is abolished that the smallholders will still have an opportunity of increasing their acreage and that they will not be at the mercy of the man with the big cheque book or the man who has access to large sums of money. I was very surprised to see that it was proposed to abolish the Land Commission without, as far as I know, any machinery being put in its place to protect the small and medium sized farmer. I sincerely hope there will be second thoughts about this and that what I have said will be heeded.

Tá anáthas orainn go léir go bhfuil tú ar ais ar do chosa agus i mbun do ábaltacht arís.

I am very pleased to have the chance to say a few words on this Bill this evening. While some people might say that the Blasket Islands are some way outside my constituency, I have long had an interest in minority groups in this country — and indeed in other countries — and islanders certainly are a minority group.

Some people might see this Bill as a kind of grand gesture on the part of the Taoiseach. I am not against grand gestures — I would not be so small minded — but there is a time and a place for them. I have long had an interest in the islands, and especially in the buildings of the islands and, in particular, the dry stonework, the timber work, the slates and other aspects of the buildings. The islanders did not import tradesmen from the mainland but did most of the work themselves. The dry stone walling especially is unique in these islands.

I have had an interest for a long time also in the writers from the islands. The Taoiseach and other Deputies have spoken about Tomás Ó Criomhtháin, Peig Sayers and Muiris Ó Súilleabháin. They have all provided us with very valuable pictures of life on the island, of the life and work of the islanders. We also owe much to outside writers, especially British writers, who came in and showed a great respect and warmth and, indeed, a great love for the islands and the islanders. I would just mention a few — the Taoiseach has referred to them also — Robin Flower, a poet and translator, the Marxist scholar, George Thomson, who taught in UCG for many years and wrote in a very sympathetic way about Ireland and its people. In more recent times, in 1984, Joan and Ray Stables' book, The Blasket Islands, was published by O'Brien Press. These outside writers helped, through the English language, to reach a wider audience about the life of the Blaskets and the people who lived there. Also other foreigners — I use that word in a decent, good sense — have contributed richly to our understanding of life on the islands. These included Professor Von Sydow, who was also a very sympathetic beholder and chronicler of life there. Life on the Blaskets had many unique features which have not been mentioned in the discussion this evening.

I would like to dwell on the methods the islanders had of dealing with sheep. They did not have boundaries to fence off the different plots and fields but they had a communal, co-operative way of sharing the rearing of sheep; from the lambing up to the time of selling the sheep, this work was done in a co-operative way. That is a very interesting feature of life on the island that we on the mainland could, perhaps, emulate and copy. We are often inclined, and this debate shows this, to dramatise and glamourise island life to see it from afar through rose coloured glasses. Anybody reading Tomás Ó Criomhthain's An tOileánach, the islandman, could have no such illusions whatsoever because he knew all about the hardship and dangers of life on an island. He described life in his writings as he found it. There was not very much glamour in anything he said or wrote. He mentioned especially the difficulties that a husband or father had making a living and rearing a family on the island. That fact has been glossed over.

It is ironic that in 1916, the year of the Easter Rising, the island population reached the highest recorded point of 176 people, but, unfortunately, from that time until the final evacuation in November 1953 the population declined steadily. Almost all this decline took place under self Government. We cannot be very proud when we reflect upon that and we ourselves must take some responsibility for the decline of the island. This is a very poor reflection on successive Governments who pay lip service to island life and to the noble qualities of islanders. Before their final departure from the island, their plight was brought to the attention of no less a person than Mr. Éamon de Valera, but at that stage he could do little to arrest the decline. By 1953 only 22 people remained on the island and they subsequently left.

As I have said, we are inclined to ignore this sorry record of neglect and to elevate the life of the islanders to an artificial level. However, if we had built decent harbours and piers on the island, the people might have been able to build up a viable fishing industry. However, we did nothing of the kind. We also failed to provide proper medical and education services. We did little or nothing to develop agriculture on the island. For instance, Robin Flower, who has been praised here tonight, commented that the soil on the western island of Inis Mhicileán was too rich to grow potatoes but that it was good for cabbage, onions and even tobacco. As far as I am aware very little effort was made to encourage the growing of these crops.

Almost all the Deputies who have spoken have praised in the most fulsome way the island literature. I do not want to throw cold water on their praise but they described island life in glowing terms, and Deputy O'Donohue described the islanders as being honest, simple, decent and dignified — a nice piece of alliteration. I do not think it is accurate to describe islanders in this all embracing glowing manner. You can feel cosy when talking in that vein but it does not correspond to the world I live in — and I have travelled as much as anybody. I do not believe it is right to ennoble islanders in this way as if they were somewhat superior or more noble than people who live in centre city areas. I do not think you can make such distinctions between people, and certainly not the people I have met.

I do not wish to sound acrimonious, because it would be out of place at this time, but I cannot help feeling that we are glorifying the islands and their way of life in a way that does not correspond with reality. We are doing this when Dublin Corporation are about to engage in the clearance and detenanting of Sheriff Street, which is not so far from this House, to make way for the new Financial Services Centre. We should not forget that Sean O'Casey and Brendan Behan lived only a stone's throw away from Sheriff Street and they wrote about the area and its people. Yet very few would stand up in this House and talk about the decent, dignified, honest and simple people of Sheriff Street. I do not want to make a comparison between island writers and the world famous O'Casey and Behan, because that would be invidious and it would be wrong to do so, but I would not want to be unfair to anybody. Therefore we must keep a sense of balance.

I mentioned informally to the Taoiseach this morning the name of a friend and colleague, Dr. John de Courcy Ireland, who is well known to the Taoiseach. Dr. John de Courcy Ireland was recently described in The Irish Press as a white knight and the Taoiseach sought his advice on the problem in Dún Laoghaire. Dr. Ireland has much to contribute to maritime matters in this country and the Taoiseach should call him in once again to consult on the future of the Blasket Islands. I hope the Taoiseach will be big enough to do that. Dr. Ireland has many realistic ideas, he is not carried away with grandiose schemes but wants to put our fishing fleet on a proper commercial footing and this House could benefit from his advice. I will leave it to the Taoiseach to take up this suggestion.

I do not want to quibble with the Taoiseach or sound acrimonious, but I must put on record that it was an English couple, Joan and Ray Stables, who first conceived the idea of a national historic park in their book The Blasket Islands published by the O'Brien Press in 1984. They should be given some credit for this and that fact should be put on the record of the House.

I wish the Bill well. It would be churlish of me not to do so. I hope it will herald a new era for the Blasket Islands, for the future generations of Irish people and foreigners who may wish to visit or live on the islands.

Ba mhaith liom a rá ar an gcéad dul síos go bhfáiltím roimh an mBille seo, agus b'fhéidir go bhfuil tú ag cur na ceiste ort féin cad é an ceangal idir tusa agus na Blascaodaí. B'fhéidir go bhfuil sé sa cheathrú Chiarraíoch atá ionam. Ach ba mhaith liom an Taoiseach agus an Bille seo a mholadh, mar is annamh go mbíonn am ag fear gnóthach le tabhairt do nithe cultúrtha inár saol. Tá súil agam gurb é seo an chéad ar an mbóthar seo.

I would like to thank and praise the Taoiseach for introducing this Bill. I hope it will be the first of many. I would also like to place on record my praise for the Office of Public Works. The people of this country have reason to be grateful for their ability in preserving and developing some of our greatest cultural treasures, Knowth, Newgrange, Clonmacnois, to name a few. If I may, I wish to enter a personal plea that they continue with their good work on manmade structures, particularly the curvilinear glasshouses in the Botanic Gardens and the very historic debtors prison in Green Street. These are also ornaments to our heritage, but unfortunately they were manmade, unlike the Blasket Islands, a development of nature, which have stood the test of time better than these artefacts I have mentioned.

Finally, I hope the Taoiseach will not put — if I may use the term — all his cultural eggs in one Blasket but may continue the work as seo amach.

I would like to join previous speakers in congratulating the Taoiseach on bringing this Bill forward expeditiously following his commitment given in a parliamentary reply on 8 February 1989. The people of Kerry appreciate the Taoiseach's interest and initiative in bringing forward this Bill and are indebted to him. I would like also to compliment the Office of Public Works, as no doubt they played a leading role. I would like to thank the Blasket Island Foundation, because without their interest and organisation I feel this Bill would not be before us today.

In 1910, a 29 year old English scholar visited the Blasket Island for the first time. It was a time of change and improvement on the island. The old medieval system of the common field, under which each family owned strips of land scattered around the island, was abolished by the Congested Districts Board. In its place each family was given a block of land suitable for tillage and another for pasture. The islanders found it hard to accept this change but the advantages were soon apparent. The fields were easier to work and were fenced in more securely. At the same time the roads of the island were repaired, Slipe na mBád was built and the new houses were erected at Slinnean Bán between the hill and the fields.

That English scholar fell in love with the island and with Ireland. He joined in the works that were taking place, so much so that, as Tomás Ó Croithinn said, it left "rian na piocóide ar a lámha". He returned with his newly wed wife in 1911 and in time he brought his family to the island and sent them to the island school — they could be described as the first "Gael Linn" scholars.

Those times of change and improvement date to a time when, as Deputy Kemmy said, our country was ruled from Westminster through a secretariat in Dublin Castle. When Saorstát Éireann was established in 1922 the islanders somewhat naively expected that the changes and improvements would continue and that the changes would be for the better. However, it was not to be and successive Governments, prompted by narrow-minded establishments, left the island to decline and to die. That is one of the reasons I welcome this Bill. By our actions here today we can make some reparation to the memory of the island people — muintir an Oileáin — for the neglect of those who sat here before us. We can never forget that though the island was left to moulder and die its soul went marching on and it still lives to inspire our people today.

In 1930 the famous English travel writer, H.V. Morton, visited Dáil Eireann. He was impressed by the use of Irish in the House. Yet this was the beginning of the decade that marked the final decay of the island, that natural repository of lore and learning, the envy of Europe and the mecca of many distinguished scholars. As George Thompson — Seoirse Mac Thomáis, as he is known in Irish — said:

"Ba chung an saol é, agus bhí eolas doimhin acu air,

Ba shimplí an cultur é ach bhí sé saor ón suarachas,

Bhí leann sinseartha dá chuid féin acu."

The day came when one lone child was left on the island. To him that hardy community of 20 souls was an extended family. The day came when this island was deserted, and the waves and the wind were left to mourn the passing of that community, as Seán Ó Luing said: Cén tarraingt taoide a scarann daoine óna dtoil chroí gan fios fatha?

The islands remained deserted until the Taoiseach came to take the place of Clann Dálaigh on Inis Mhicileán. I would like to put two points before him now. The first is to remind him that there are other island communities around our shores, both Gaeltacht and Galltacht, as was mentioned by previous speakers. I would ask him to try, by every means at his disposal, to ensure that the way of life on those islands is preserved and that they should not be thrown on the scrapheap of neglect as the Blaskets were. I would like to ask him also if he has not heard ceol na pucaí, the spirit music of the island, the music that the Dálaigh family played to mortal ears, the music that Robin Flower, the scholar I have spoken of, described as "a lament for a whole world of imagination, banished irrecoverably now, but still faintly visible as in the afterglow of a western sun." How apt those words are in the context of the Bill we are discussing.

I agree with the Taoiseach that it is not enough just to send this Bill through the Oireachtas. The development of the island will be a challenge to every agency concerned with it. To give meaningful life to the island will not be easy, but here we have something unique to Ireland, unique in Europe. As Tomás Crothinn said; "If you went all the coasts of Ireland round, it would go hard with you to find anything else so beautiful anywhere."

To conclude, I would like to refer to that mangnificent film of Muiris Mac Conghail "Oileán Eile". My abiding memory of that film is the interviews with Geroge Thompson — Seoirse Mac Tomáis — yet another English scholar who came to love this island and the island of Ireland, a love that marked him out from his fellows. It was George Thompson who wrote, "Níl aon dul siar aran stair", and that is certainly true. But he also wrote, "Pé céim a thugann an Stair ar Chúl, tugann sí dhá céim ar aghaidh". Those words should be our motto in this House today. People like Flower and Thompson were of the island because they possessed the island virtue — Mórchroí — greatness of heart. Bhí siad "uasal agus iseal". I should like to think that in passing this Bill, with the clear support of every party in the House, today at least, we are displaying this virtue. Again I would like to compliment the Taoiseach on his interest in this Bill. I know from several conversations with him that he has a special grá for this part of the world.

Ba mhaith liom ar dtús mo bhuíochas a ghabháil leis na Teachtaí go léir a labhair sa díospóireacht agus go mór mhór as ucht an fáilte atá siad tar éis a chur roimh an Bhille seo.

First, I want to thank all the Deputies who have contributed to the discussion on the Second Stage of this Bill and especially to thank them for the very generous way in which they have received the legislation and the welcome they have afforded it. It is one of the more pleasant interludes of our experience in this House that we can get together and agree on legislation of this kind. I suppose in a way it is typical of the Blaskets that they can unite us all in this way. It is an extraordinary place and they have, over the years, attracted people from all over the world, people who have been seduced by them, attracted by them and enthralled by them. I suppose it is only natural that the Blasket Islands would extend that ceo draíochta to this House. We should all combine to try to ensure that this legislation is passed and also that the necessary follow-up to the legislation will take place.

A few very good points have been raised during the discussion and I will deal briefly with them. The first and perhaps the most important matter is the issue of the acquisition of the property. This has been referred to by a number of speakers. I want to give the House a very solemn assurance that it is the intention, if at all possible, that the property of the island will be acquired by amicable agreement. I know that is the universal wish of Deputies, and indeed the same sentiment was expressed in the Seanad. I assure the House that is the way we will proceed. I am reasonably confident that is the way we will succeed. These compulsory powers the Office of Public Works have should be seen as a reserve power which will be kept in the background and, we hope, will never have to be exercised.

I think there is a great deal of goodwill around. I know the Fondúireacht will be anxious to act as an honest broker and try to ensure that the property is acquired by agreement and to the satisfaction of everybody concerned. I am particularly anxious to assure the American lady Deputy Begley mentioned that I am quite certain nobody in this House would wish her to be under any impression that she would ever be unfairly treated by this House or by any Government authority or agency in Ireland. I assure her that is not the way we do things in this country. Her rights and position will be fully protected and she can be assured we would seek to have an amicable arrangement made with her by the Office of Public Works, the Fondúireacht or anybody else, and under no circumstances would we tolerate a situation where she would have any sort of grievance or any sort of feeling that as an outsider or a foreigner or an American she would not be treated exactly the same in this area as would one of our own citizens, and the same applies to everybody else who has property on the island.

I would like to make a little correction. I think it was Deputy Begley again who suggested we were creating two classes of people by this legislation. We are not. We may be creating two classes of property, property which can be compulsorily acquired and property which cannot, but we are not distinguishing between people. Even in the case of the original island families or their descendants it is only their houses and the land in the immediate vicinity of their houses that are exempt from compulsory acquisition. These families had rights to land which is held in commonage, and in so far as that commonage and those rights over that commonage are concerned, even though they belonged to the original island families and still are in the possession of descendants of the original island families, they will remain subject to that compulsory acquisition. To that extent everybody who has property on the island can one way or another be made liable for compulsory acquisition. It is only the original houses and the holdings around them that we are exempting. I think there is great justification for that, and perhaps it would not be impossible to envisage that some day the descendants of the original island families, if all goes as we expect it to, would return to the island and live there. That might be an idyllic vision but at least it cannot be ruled out. I was at pains in the Seanad to assure that House that we would try to make sure that everything in regard to the island would be done on a friendly, amicable agreement basis, and I want to give the same assurance to this House.

Deputy Máirín Quill in a very eloquent and sincere contribution talked about the interpretive centre. I assure her and other Deputies that that will be one of the first priorities. We visualise an interpretive centre being provided on the mainland somewhere in the immediate vicinity of Dún Chaoin. The Office of Public Works have already been looking at the possibilities in that regard. There is no doubt that the right way to proceed would be to have that interpretive centre on the mainland where visitors can come and see for themselves at first hand exactly what the island, An Blascaod Mór, was and is and be encouraged to make the trip across the turbulent waters of the Blasket Sound to visit the island. There again I would like to mention the Office of Public Works because a number of Deputies have praised them, and rightly so. Mind you, the Office of Public Works do not always do everything we want them to do as quickly as we want them to do it, but we all acknowledge that when they undertake an assignment, particularly in the cultural area, they are unbeatable, they cannot be surpassed, and I invite any Deputy who has not already done so to visit the interpretive centre which has been provided at Gleann dá Loch in County Wicklow, where the Office of Public Works have done a beautiful, sensitive and creative job. They have provided an interpretive centre there which is a work of art in itself, and that could be an excellent model for what we hope to provide on the mainland opposite the Blasket Islands. I have every confidence that the interpretive centre on the mainland will be a source of great pleasure and enjoyment for visitors in the years to come.

Some Deputies mentioned the question of other offshore islands, and that I suppose is relevant to this discussion. I fully agree that the offshore islands are a very valuable part of our environment, our heritage. Certainly they make the west coast all that more interesting, if that were possible, just by being there and in many cases being inhabited. They are an extension of our country in a very unique and interesting way, and I would be firmly committed, in so far as our resources permit, to preserving life on the offshore islands and trying to help those who wish to stay there to do so in reasonable comfort. It is not too easy to live on an island, and I never cease to marvel at the rugged capacity of the islanders on the Blasket Islands, for instance, who were able to maintain themselves there in very difficult conditions. Even with all the assistance of modern technology the Blasket Islands can be very difficult places to negotiate, to get access to and to live on. I often wonder and marvel at the ability of those islanders that they were able to overcome all the natural difficulties and make a reasonable way of life for themselves on An Blascaod Mór in particular. We are still doing a bit to help the islanders who are still on the islands offshore. For instance, the Board of Works again did a very good job this year in restoring the quay and the landing facilities at Oileán Cléire. The same applies to a greater or lesser extent with regard to the other islands.

One encouraging thing that is happening is that the Irish Wildbird Conservancy, for instance, have been able to acquire two islands and will preserve them as bird sanctuaries. One is Puffin Island just off the Kerry coast, out from Valentia, and the other is High Island off the Connemara coast, formerly owned by that very wonderful poet, Richard Murphy. These two islands are now safely in the hands of the Irish Wildbird Conservancy and will be preserved and conserved by that body. That is a headline we would all like to see followed in other cases as well.

I am not sure there are any other points of substance to which I would need to reply. I join with all the Deputies who have paid tribute to the members of Fondúireacht on the work they have done. We would all agree that if it had not been for the establishment of Fondúireacht and the efforts they have made we would not be able to have this legislation. An important thing about Fondúireacht is that it shows that the people of this area fully understand the value of the Blaskets, how important they are, what they represent and how they are part of our national heritage. It is important that this Bill provides for the full involvement of Fondúireacht, and thereby the local community, in the future of An Blascaod Mór.

I pay personal tribute to the Deputies and Senators from Kerry who fully supported Fondúireacht when it was established and gave it their diverse political blessings. They helped Fondúireacht and me in the preparation of this legislation. Apart from the concept of the excellence of the Kerry football team, I do not think there are many things on which the people of Kerry would unanimously agree. On this occasion, however, they were very generous, helpful and appreciative of what was being done and they were unstinting in their support of me, the Fondúireacht, the Office of Public Works and Roinn na Gaeltachta in helping to get this legislation to the Dáil.

Deputies have said quite rightly that this is only the first step, the basis from which we can proceed, and it will be up to us all to ensure that the Government agencies involved and Fondúireacht get on with the job and do what is necessary to provide a satisfactory and enjoyable national historic park. We must want the interpretive centre on the mainland and we want good access, which will require some landing facilities on the Blascaod Mór. Then we will want the houses on the island properly restored with integrity to the way they were. Many other things of that kind will have to be done. We will have to monitor the position and ensure that the necessary steps are undertaken to bring this national historic park to reality and to full fruition.

Question put and agreed to.
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