Mr. Larry Cashman:

The island scheme, as an entity, will remain unchanged and is separate to the discussions we are having today. They continue to be an area of specific constraint. I am not sure of the geographic location of the island to which the Senator referred but the basic criteria for an island to be eligible for the scheme as an offshore island with no permanent land bridge. The equivalent of Valentia and Achill would not qualify as they have a permanent land bridge. The only islands which are more inland are within the Shannon Estuary. I am the person responsible so if she wishes to do so, the Senator may contact me and I will look into the case.