Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Although I am a Dubliner representing Dublin Central, tá áthas orm go bhfuil seans agam labhairt ar an ábhar seo, go háirithe ábhar ag baint leis na hoileáin, mar i rith na blianta, bhí seans agam turas a thabhairt chuig cuid mhór de na hoileáin thar timpeall an chósta. Ach tá caidreamh speisialta agam le oileán amháin, Oileán Cléire i gContae Corcaigh. Thug mé cuairt ar an oileán sin don chéad uair níos mó ná 40 bliain ó shin agus táim ag dul ann go fóill. Despite my being from Dublin, my comments are based on visits to many of the islands, but particularly Cape Clear island off the coast of County Cork. We know that all the islands are places of spectacular physical beauty, from Rathlin in Tory and around the west coast to the south east coast, and one cannot but be struck by that.

I am probably the only person I know who enjoyed reading Peigand An tOileánach, but there is no doubt that island life presents challenges. There are difficulties for those living on islands, and people who live on the mainland have no idea about the practicalities. It is a positive development that we are having this discussion today as a result of the committee's report.

I was struck by the sub-committee's holistic approach to the issue of how these communities could be supported in a sustainable manner. "Sustainable" is the key word, because many of the islands are seeing a decrease in population, notwithstanding the increases during the summer months, especially for which, like Oileán Chléire, have students coming in because they want to speak Irish.

In terms of bringing about sustainability, the report notes many different actors within the institutional policy framework and references nine Departments and agencies. What one person is drawing all that together, particularly in regard to the islands? There was a time when the islands were part of somebody's ministerial brief, but that is no longer the case. I know there are demands on Ministers of State, and I was supportive of appointing one with responsibility for the area of drugs and addiction, but if we are taking the sustainability of islands seriously there is a need for such an appointment.

There is also a need for a particular type of engagement with island communities, and I am aware they were represented at these talks. The annual meeting of Comharchumann na nOileán was held last weekend. Islanders are the people who know the reality of living on the island and what they have to deal with, but sometimes officials who have not experienced aspects of island life come in and try to tell the islanders what is best for them. There is probably a case to be made that officials from the Department, particularly new officials, should spend time on the islands to try to understand the challenges people are facing and the changing nature of the fishing industry.

Understandably, many of the recommendations are to do with fishing. While membership of the European Union has benefited farming, there is no doubt that fishing has suffered over the years, and fishermen with smaller fishing boats, in particular, are still struggling. It is sad to see young men who want to make a living from their small fishing boats having to give that up.

I note there are some practical recommendations on the small vessel sector.

There is no doubt that overfishing has been a problem, and while there was short-term gain for fishermen, it resulted in a long-term disaster. However, the smaller vessels did not contribute to that; it was the massive factory ships. As the salmon stock is increasing, priority must be given to certain communities along the coast, and particularly the islands.

Cape Clear was a pioneer in the area of aquaculture. Many years ago, fish farming was developed there. They had turbot, halibut and abalone. They put a tremendous amount of work into the infrastructure and marketing, with some success over the years. Unfortunately, due to various things that happened, that has gone. It was disappointing to see that go In spite of all their innovation and very hard work.

When weather disasters occur, such as the one the Christmas before last, which decimated the livelihood of many small fishermen, particularly in terms of the lobster pots, there must be a quicker response to get people back fishing.

I do not believe that sustainability can be totally dependent on fishing. We have to consider other aspects. While in Cape Clear last weekend, I asked people there what would be on their wish lists. The first wish mentioned - this is the same for every industry - was broadband, which is vital. A broadband service is essential in many industries and to create employment. I am aware that a lack of broadband has prevented companies from setting up businesses on the islands.

I understand that Ireland is not included in the coastal periphery maritime region section in Brussels, and that we do not have a representative. That is surprising, because Ireland fits the peripheral and maritime categories.

There are other aspects that can help island life. Various suggestions have been made, which I will not go into now, but health care was one. I acknowledge the role of the lifeboats, which are very important for the fishing industry as well. I am conscious of the Baltimore lifeboat, and I know the men who work on that boat, which gives so much. We saw that recently with the tragedy in Baltimore. I know of the number of times they have come out to the islands to rescue fishermen, not just from Ireland but from other countries as well.

For the fishing industry and the people who live on the islands, the harbours are the lifelines. Piers have to be user-friendly. We must ensure they can be used regardless of the weather to ensure islands are not cut off.

Tourism is noted in the report. There is massive potential for tourism, but islands have been let down by Fáilte Ireland. It put so much into the development of the Wild Atlantic Way, which is a great initiative to be supported, but there is a need for an Atlantic way that is focused on the islands. Fishing tourism could be brought into that also.

Jobs are needed to keep people on the islands. Thanks to the efforts of t-athair Ó Peicín, Tory was saved from depopulation and it did not suffer the same fate as the Blaskets. There are serious issues for the islands in terms of depopulation. As such, our focus should not be only on fishing. We must also look to the potential for tourism, which is massive. Education is also very important. That five of our island schools have only one teacher is a serious issue. What is very noticeable about island life is the communities and they way in which they come together in fair and foul weather. We must work with the island communities on how to address all of these issues into the future.

There are other issues in relation to the islands that could feed into this report. For example, Cape Clear Island is very anxious to acquire national heritage status because this would help it in accessing other funding. I note that even though natural environment projects are eligible for national lottery funding no money has been provided to these types of projects. This is an opening for the islands.

In one way, islands are like any other community. Like any village, town or neighbourhood we share a lot. However, island life is different. Islanders face a different set of circumstances and this must be acknowledged. It is often because of those difficult set of circumstances that national policies do not suit. Particular national policies need to be adapted to the particular set of circumstances of island life.

The report is welcome, including by the people I have met on the islands. It is a way to move forward.

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