Michael Collins (Cork South West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

The Bealtaine Festival is very specific, but the arts are so important for people with a disability. Having never understood what they were, I have seen so many people in local community hospitals become involved in the arts. They find so much joy in places such as Schull, Skibbereen, Bantry Hospital, Bandon, Kinsale and Dunmanway. I have seen them in community hospitals and nursing homes and it means so much to the patients. We have travelled that road and by now community hospitals are places we would all like to be inside.

I am not being too parochial about things with regard to Sherkin Island but I am delighted that Ms Aisling Moran and Ms Majella O'Neill Collins are here today to give evidence. They were supposed to appear before the committee four or five months ago but the snow struck. That might have been a stroke of luck because it may have allowed a bit more time for the issues that were outstanding and a cause of major concern some time to get sorted. I recall that Aisling rang me at 7 o'clock that morning to ask if this committee meeting was going ahead. I said "Absolutely" but then I pulled back the curtains in my apartment in Rathmines and said "It is not; it is off, end of story". Aisling said that Tom might not agree with me. I said that I did not care what Tom said that the meeting was off. I said "Forget it. I will not be going outside my own door, let alone have you coming up from Sherkin Island."

To be honest, islands are suffering and haemorrhaging in many respects. Islands are fighting an uphill battle. There are eight islands in my constituency and I meet with islanders. I go to the islands and I hear the issues but we are fighting the battle. Sherkin Island lost its school a few years ago, which was a major blow to the island. This degree course is a lifeline not only for the island but has a major financial benefit for other businesses in places such as Baltimore, Skibbereen, Union Hall, Glandore and Leap. These places will all benefit because of the people who come to Sherkin Island for this visual art degree. I commend the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht for funding this course. I also commend the local authority, the commitment of the Dublin Institute of Technology and the work done by the Sherkin Island development society over the past few years to continue this. It went through a major difficulty at the beginning of the year but the stakeholders stuck with the task and remained focused, and thankfully the funding eventually became available to continue the course.

One Saturday approximately a month ago I went to the island for the graduation. The local council chief executive officer, Mr. Tim Lucey, was there along with another local representatives and local people. We were stunned at the large number of people flocking to the island that day. It probably happens on other days too, but on that particular day the people were coming to see the event. It clearly stunned me and others to see the benefits - not that I had any doubts about it - and I am glad the situation was resolved and is moving forward. There is now a focus and they know where they stand for the next number of years.

The islands are facing a tough time and this initiative is unique. I fought very strongly to make sure it stayed as it was. There are negatives and positives. When the school closed on Sherkin Island, the children of the island needed to get a ferry to school. Perhaps some people do not call it a chaperone, but the parents are fighting very hard to get a chaperone to take the children on the ferry because parents are trying to work. These are some of the big disadvantages. The particular service is not in place at the moment as we are waiting for the Department to see if it can be put in place. Bere Island had a public health nurse who was there full time but who has now been brought back to the mainland. Every time it involves a fight to keep a service.

I was on Sherkin Island recently doing a clinic. There was no phone line for six months because of Storm Ophelia and no agency cared. If the islanders do not fight and shout, very few others will.

There are also positives about the eight islands I represent. On Long Island, off Schull, which I visited recently, a couple from the UK has just opened a bed and breakfast. Collins is their name but they are no relation. There is talk about building a community centre on Whiddy Island. We are aware of the amount of work done by Tim O'Leary with the Bank House. Dursey Island has its new cable car. Cape Clear Island and Bere Island are all fighting for services. John Walsh does great work on Bere Island. This art degree course is a great story for Sherkin Island and it has secured the future going forward. Everybody needs to be commended in this regard, and for making sure the funding is kept in place.

I appreciate the opportunity to say all of this. When it looked like the course was doomed, we were going to afford the stakeholders the opportunity to give evidence to the committee and to let the nation know the benefit of the course not just to Sherkin Island, but to the whole State. However, as I said, the snow intervened and this may have allowed a little extra space and breathing time for this matter to be resolved. Thankfully, it has been resolved and I am delighted all the witnesses are here today. I second Senator O'Donnell's proposal that the committee members visit the islands. It would be great to educate ourselves and to see what is going on, although we may or may not get to all the islands. I would be quite happy to do that.