Seán Kyne (Galway West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Leas-Cheann Comhairle agus leis an Teachta Catherine Connolly agus a grúpa as an rún seo.

I have studied the proposal and I wanted to be able to support it. Two issues were alluded to by the Minister, Deputy McHugh. One related to the inaction of successive Governments in addressing the needs of offshore islands. I was particularly concerned that Fianna Fáil might take offence at that proposal but perhaps that was an undue concern.

The second and more interesting issue is on the membership of the interdepartmental committee and the inclusion of island representatives. It is an interdepartmental committee and we all want it to work and to improve the lives of islanders. Having islanders on this committee could be contrary to what Members wish for because I do not believe there will be openness among officials regarding the preparation of their plans. I respect the islanders and I engage quite a bit with them. I will fully engage with island representatives in the work of the interdepartmental committee. I am happy to meet them before, after and between the meetings, on a quarterly basis or whatever is necessary but being part of the same meeting around the table could be counterproductive, which I know is not what the Deputies want. This is my concern.

There was a plan in 1996, also as it happens under a Fine Gael Government, by the then Minister of State, Donal Carey. There has been considerable investment by successive Governments in island infrastructure but I acknowledge more is needed.

A number of issues have been mentioned, including the primary care centre at Inisbofin. It has been refurbished, which has improved the appearance and usability of the centre. The HSE is progressing plans and we are co-operating with the executive on the allocation of a site next to but not impacting on the airstrip there.

Regarding education on the islands, the Minister has undertaken to follow up the issues raised. My Department is continuing on from previous Governments in supporting secondary education ar na hoileáin. Tá daoine, trí scéimeanna atá eagraithe ag mo Roinn, ag freastal ar scoileanna ar na hoileáin. Tá 30 dalta ansin ó fud fad na tíre ann, ó Bhaile Átha Cliath, Ghaillimh, Chorcaigh agus chuile áit ag freastal ar na hoileáin agus tá an-tábhacht ag baint leis na scoláirí sin ó thaobh uimhreacha na múinteoirí agus mar sin de.

I hope that after nearly nine years serving together that the Leas-Cheann Comhairle, Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher, and I will not end up having a row. I acknowledged his concerns on the flooding. He mentioned Deputy Ó Cúiv visiting Gweedore at the time. That scheme was closed when Deputy Ó Cúiv was there and has not been resurrected since. My relatively small Department does not have funding for flooding in Gaeltacht areas. That is why I referred Deputy Gallagher to larger Departments such as those of the Ministers, Deputies Ring and Ross, and I am aware that officials from the Office of Public Works were also present.

On the question of funding, since 2011, the Government has consistently found moneys for annual islands small-works programmes, including for roads. Last year, for example, more than €1,073,000 was spent, of which €359,000 went to Donegal and a much smaller allocation of €43,000 went to Galway. Deputy Gallagher mentioned that I was perhaps holding money back for a Galway project. There is a very important Galway project that I have no doubt his party supports.

Deputy Connolly is also supporting it. Sin an obair atá muid ag déanamh chun Aerfort na Minne a cheannach. Táimid ag brú ar aghaidh leis an obair sin, agus is obair fhíorthábhachtach é ó thaobh todhchaí na n-oileán. Beidh airgead ag teastáil chun an airstrip sin a cheannach, ach táimid dóchasach go mbeimid in ann clár na n-oibreacha a fhoilsiú do na hoileáin go luath. Táimid fós ag obair ar sin.

I also remind the Deputies that nearly €100 million has been invested in capital industry on the islands for the past 20 years and a number of projects are listed in the plan forbairt náisiúnta. Maidir le cé Mhachaire Uí Rabhartaigh, bhí cruinniú againn le Comhairle Contae Dhún na nGall agus tá sé ag teacht ar ais chugainn le moltaí maidir le forbairt na céibhe. Maidir le cé Reannaigh, tá iarratas faighte againn anois ón gcomhairle contae agus beidh sé á mheas i gcomhthéacs an airgid atá ar fáil don Roinn agus na héilimh eile ar an airgead sin.

Maidir leis an méid a dúirt an Teachta Pearse Doherty faoi bhád nua d’Oileán Thoraí, tá bád nua luaite sa phlean forbairt náisiúnta. Beidh an chéad chruinniú de choiste nua Thoraí ar siúl Dé hAoine agus beimid ag iarraidh brú ar aghaidh le forbairt chás gnó don bhád nua sin.

Aontaím leis an méid a dúirt an Teachta Burton. We would all agree with Deputy Burton regarding the protection of biodiversity on our islands. My Department was at the forefront of developing and implementing the successful AranLIFE programme, which has gained international recognition in promoting the new Caomhnú Arann programme which has just begun.

Deputy Michael Collins mentioned the BA programme in visual arts in Sherkin Island which has been guaranteed funding for the next three years thanks to the intervention of the Department. That is a very successful programme and one of which the Department is rightly proud of its role.

Deputy Danny Healy-Rae spoke about Valentia Island. As much as we would love to take on another island, it is linked with a bridge and there is also a ferry to the island. It is not regarded as one of the offshore islands because it is linked by a bridge. The issues the Deputy raised will have to be progressed through the county council and the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport.

With respect to Deputy Eamon Ryan's points, my Department is very supportive of islands which have become energy efficient and have moved away from fossil fuels. We supported the provision of electric vehicles and sustainable energy sources in the Aran Islands some years ago in conjunction the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, SEAI. AranLife is also very relevant to the points the Deputy raised.

Luaigh an Teachta Maureen O'Sullivan na coláistí Gaeilge. My Department stands over any regulations it has introduced to improve the experience of learning Irish. The Department currently spends more than €4 million per annum with the mná tí keeping Gaeilgeoirí. I increased the grant per capita during my first term as Minister of State.

The issue of housing is one the new interdepartmental committee will have to get to grips with in termsof na liostaí feithimh agus an easpa tí ar na hoileáin. Tá sé ag cruthú a lán deacrachtaí d’oileánaigh trasna na tíre. Tá sé tábhachtach go mbeidh dul chun cinn ann maidir leis an ábhar sin. Déanaim iarracht dul amach ag breathnú ar rudaí ar na hoileáin agus dul ar cuairt ag na ceantair Ghaeltachta trasna na tíre.

I have been to all the Gaeltacht areas in my two terms as Minister of State: an Mhí,Port Láirge, Corcaigh, Ciarraí, Gaillimh - áit atá mé i mo chónaí - Maigh Eo agus Dún na nGall. Tá mé sásta casadh le haon ghrúpa nuair a bhím ar cuairt ar na háiteanna sin. An uair dheireanach a bhí mé ag cruinniú Rialtais, chas mé le grúpaí ó Ghleann Cholm Cille a d'eagraigh an Aire Oideachas agus Scileanna, an Teachta McHugh, agus tá mé sásta casadh le grúpaí ar son aon Teachta Dála áitiúil.

Maidir leis an bplean gníomhaíochta do na hoileáin, I first announced this at the Comhdháil Oileáin annual general meeting last April or May in Inis Meáin. This has been a demand - is éileamh é seo ó na hoileánaigh le tamall. Bhí mé ag smaoineamh air an chéad uair a bhí mé i m'Aire Stát agus bhí mé sásta go raibh mé in ann glacadh leis i mbliana. Táimid ag brú ar aghaidh. Fuair muid cinneadh ó chruinniú Rialtais i nDún na nGall i mí Iúil, agus scríobh muid chuig chuile rannóg ina dhiaidh sin. Fuair muid ainmnithe ó na Ranna go léir agus scríobh muid chuig cuid acu ina dhiaidh sin arís nuair nach raibh ainmneacha faighte againn. Shocraigh muid an chéad chruinniú ansin. Dúirt mé tamall ó shin go mbeadh an chéad chruinniú ann i mí Meán Fómhair agus tá mé sásta go mbeidh sé ar siúl an tseachtain seo chugainn.

Tá mé sásta leis an chuid is mó de na rudaí atá luaite ag an Teachta, agus tá mé sásta casadh agus oibriú le hionadaithe ó na hoileáin, roimh nó ina dhiaidh cruinnithe, mar a dúirt mé. Sílim go gcruthaíonn sé fadhbanna, áfach, iad a bheith sa seomra céanna ag an gcruinniú céanna agus go n-imeoidh sé sin in aghaidh na rudaí atá an Teachta agus chuile dhuine anseo ag iarraidh déanamh. Tá mé sásta casadh leo agus comhoibriú leo agus mar sin de, seachas iad a bheith istigh sna cruinnithe. Sílim go gcuireann sé sin deacracht leis, agus níl mé ag iarraidh é sin a dhéanamh.

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