Ann Phelan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Labour) | Oireachtas source

We understand completely about the situation with regard to the islands. I have met people from the islands and I have heard their concerns. It is proposed that the islands will be looked after under the local authority and the LCDC structure. The alignment process will mean that everything has to fit into this local authority structure. The local authority will be responsible for the offshore islands within its local authority area, and this will be written into the local development strategy. We will be very specific with the local authorities that island issues can and will be catered for in that local development strategy. The alignment process and the legislation has happened. The islands will be looked after through the local development strategies in each specific local authority, but we will be watching that and making sure that they are being looked after.