Jerry Cowley (Mayo, Independent)

I welcome the Minister's reply because many people on the island in question believe the cable car project is dead. I acknowledge his comments in this regard and welcome any progress on the project. The late Pól Ó Foighil — God be good to him — was very proactive on this issue and the Minister has visited the island on many occasions. I also welcome improvements in the piers and in access to the island, without which islanders would be stranded.

People with illnesses experience considerable difficulty travelling to and from the island and have been looking forward to having a cable car facility, which should have been developed a long time ago. Constituents of mine have suggested that in light of the length of time required to develop the facility and the problems it has experienced, it might be preferable for them to be rehoused on the mainland. What are the Minister's views on islanders suffering from illness moving to the mainland? While I appreciate that housing people with disabilities is the responsibility of other Departments, will the Minister consider facilitating people with cancer who may need to move to the mainland for a period or older people who wish to live close to medical services which are unavailable on the island?

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