Michael Collins (Cork South West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for a detailed response. He is right that there was no consultation, even with the council. This decision must have been made well in advance of the announcement two weeks ago, considering where we are. We need to find a solution. Would the Minister of State believe that since last Friday, islanders have been left without electricity? No one is speaking on behalf of the islands here anymore. I respect that the Minister of State is here. He has often come to west Cork. The Minister for Rural and Community Development should be here today to talk to us and give us her point of view on what she intends to do. Residents have been let down badly. Yesterday, officials told them to get boats themselves and to find their own way over with their cattle. That is an astonishing situation. I plead with the Minister of State to plead with the Minister, Deputy Humphreys, to come to west Cork to meet the council and the residents. They are honest residents who have not caused any problems or even held a public meeting, because they expect that the political system will resolve this issue. It is not happening at this moment. They need a ferry service. A temporary service is not the greatest solution, which they accept, but it would at least be some sort of solution. I would appreciate if the Minister of State would tell us if the Minister will come to meet officials and public representatives.

See this speech in context