Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I am amused at the need for more time. First, I appreciate the work being done, but a task force was set up in 1996. No policy was ever produced. In contrast, in Scotland there is policy underpinned by legislation and the population is increasing. We know from the most recent census that the population declined on a certain number of islands. There are 30 offshore islands, of which eight are in the Gaeltacht. Gaeltacht islands account for more than 70% of the offshore population, so it is a particularly acute problem in the context of the language. This is not just about the language, however; it is about a policy of sustainability for all the islands.

I understood there was to be another meeting of the interdepartmental committee this month. When will that take place? Is it to be the last meeting? Will the work from now on be to produce the actual document? Is the consultation finished with such that it is now all to do with producing the policy document?

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