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

I have met the island people and I understand their concerns. Perhaps the Deputy will want to return to the Government's policy of alignment whereby the islands are being looked after by the local authority. I direct the Deputy's attention again to the fact that the Government is providing over €460,000 directly to Comhar na nOileán, over €260,000 of which will be disbursed by the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht. I implore the Deputy to put a question to the Minister of State, Deputy McHugh. More than €55,000 is being provided directly to the islands under SICAP in respect of the Mayo and Cork islands, not including Galway county SICAP, north Kerry SICAP and Donegal Gaeltacht SICAP. I do not understand how the Deputy can suggest that we are not concerned about the islands.

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