Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

If you take away a service, you have a duty to put in a replacement. The council did not engage with us, but when it did, we got a solution. I recognise the work of Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan and Senator Lombard, who worked hard to find solutions.

Regarding what I have done for the islands, there has been unprecedented investment in the islands. I was on Bere Island in the summer. I attended a Cabinet meeting remotely from a remote working hub on Bere Island. I went to visit a glamping facility that received investment through the LEADER programme. I set aside a special allocation under the CLÁR programme which is specifically for islands. They can now apply for different projects that are funded under CLÁR and they are not competing with the mainland. I have also embarked on a number of critical infrastructure projects, which are going through a process. I will answer questions later about the islands policy, which we are working on, and also about piers and other island locations.

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