Mr. Simon Murray:

One thing that is underneath the surface in all conversations about the islands is the cost of living on an island. We operate a subsidised system in this country, and rightly so, in order to try to keep the islands and their communities alive. We do this because of the benefits they give back through tourism and many other avenues. For those who are not familiar with it, our subsidised system for freight increases the cost of living on the islands. This is a bizarre statement, but it is the truth. A subsidised system should not be increasing the cost of living on an island. Other speakers have touched on the question of housing. As a result of the subsidised system that is in place, in order to build or renovate a house, or do any works on a house, there is a 30% increase on the cost of building. This is just not good enough. The policy document on the islands was launched a couple of weeks ago. If we are being serious about the continuation of life on our islands, something needs to be done. We have lost many islands over the years, and we are now left with a very small number of people. We do not have the population to make an argument. That is the key principle of rural living, full stop. If all considerations are going to be based on population, that will not work for us. We have to be to look at islands in the context of us wanting island life to survive off our coasts. As an island nation, one would think that would be obvious, but that has to be met with in every Department, county council and government structure of the country. If we are still arguing at this stage in 2023, I am not sure how much progress has been made.

When we are talking about housing, health and everything else, if the system that is in place, which is run by the State, is putting up the cost of living on an island, it has to be addressed. I would ask the committee, if it is within its remit, to consider that someone needs to do a root-and-branch review of the subsidised system for the islands because it is a little bit out of control. It is killing productivity on the islands. If we are hoping to house people, and hoping for a future for the islands, we need to address the costs we can address. This is one that could be done immediately. A review could be carried out. The tendering process could be changed, with a new tender document put in place, and the cost of living would come down on the islands. A simple thing like that would make a huge difference.