Margaret Murphy O'Mahony (Cork South West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister. I acknowledge the parents were consulted about the closure but I also acknowledge that they co-operated and held up their hands and accepted this was an inevitable thing to happen. They were also given the understanding at the time that easy access to the mainland would be provided and a chaperone is part of that. The Minister called out the statistics but one size does not fit all. It is a unique situation. It can be very easily solved. A chaperone is not a huge cost. It beggars belief that the Minister is not in a position to provide something that could be so easily and cheaply solved. The islanders have asked for a meeting with the Minister and the Minister of State, Deputy McHugh. I ask the Minister to say he will at least meet them and listen to their points. He is also very welcome at any stage to visit Sherkin Island for a weekend and we will look after him very well there.

I will end with a quote from President Michael D. Higgins who said:

Nothing is inevitable. The loss of sustainable island life is not inevitable. The recent decline in many of our islands’ populations is a challenge to be addressed.

I am asking the Minister to address this challenge and provide a chaperone for the people of Sherkin Island.

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