Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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106. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development further to Parliamentary Question No. 5 of 23 February 2023, the date on which the new policy for the islands will be published; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19312/23]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware, the Government is committed to publishing an islands policy, in line with the Programme for Government commitment and commitments made in Our Rural Future.

I received the initial draft of the policy before Christmas, and since then officials from my Department have engaged intensively with colleagues across Government Departments and agencies to agree firm commitments for the policy and its accompanying action plan.

I am pleased to say that the policy and accompanying action plan is now nearing completion and I expect to present it to Government for approval in the coming weeks.

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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107. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development when the long-promised policy for the islands will be published; whether this policy will address the high costs of motoring for islanders many of whom have to maintain two cars, one on the island and one on the mainland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18288/23]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware, the Government is committed to publishing an islands policy, in line with the Programme for Government commitment and commitments made in Our Rural Future.

The process of developing the policy has taken longer than I would have liked, however I am determined to take the time necessary to get it right.

I received an initial draft of the policy before Christmas and, since then, officials from my Department have been engaging very intensively with colleagues across all Government Departments and agencies to tie down firm commitments and agree robust actions to be taken over the next three years.

I am pleased to say that the policy and accompanying action plan is now nearing completion and I expect to present it to Government for approval in the coming weeks.

Matters pertaining to the cost of motoring do not fall under the remit of my Department, and are a matter for the Department of Transport. The Deputy will be aware that a number of concessions already exist for island vehicles, such as a reduced rate of motor tax and an exemption from the NCT.