Marc Ó Cathasaigh (Waterford, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

The committee on social protection, of which I am a member, also covers this part of the Minister's brief, that is, community and rural affairs and the islands. Islanders often feel they have been tagged on to the end of the departmental line.

One of the representatives who spoke to our committee referenced a programme that was on TG4 Player, "Inis Airc: Bás Oileáin", which is about the leaving of Inishark. We must acknowledge that the way of life that exists on the islands is precious but also marginal. It is difficult for families to maintain their life on an island.

While I welcome the Minister's comments, the work must be multi-departmental. Many issues need to be addressed, for example, housing and employment. Language is also a major consideration on many islands because they are often Gaeltacht communities. Other issues include schools, how to keep young people on the island and how to attract inward investment.

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