Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

It is Christmas time and I note the positive comments of the Minister of State, but the way to heaven is paved with good intentions and reassurances. We need far more than that. We need a policy and we will get one next year, which is welcome. However, as part of the consultation process, each Department has to say what its current policies are. There certainly seems to be a major gap in the reply from the Minister of State, although that is not his fault. He has not outlined what the current policies of the Department are for the islands to make clear what the policies and challenges are. That is what the Department will have to do in the coming weeks as part of the process.

The Minister of State mentioned broadband and various other matters. We have heard this so often and it is all good but these issues have to be embedded in a policy and vision for the islands that recognises the challenges, including the fact that the population is declining. Islanders have showed us the way forward. They have shown us the sustainable way of living in tune with the environment. What we want is a policy as quickly as possible with input from the Department of Community and Rural Development, which is particularly important.

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