Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

That is welcome. This strategy has been delayed mainly due to the Covid pandemic, which was accepted and understood. Have the public consultations been held on every island in person? I know Comhdháil Oileáin na hÉireann has sought a draft copy of this strategy as soon as the Minister receives it. I have previously asked the Minister and her officials to consider sharing it with that body. This is a ten-year plan and we have not had a strategy for the islands since 1996, 26 years ago. When introducing a ten-year plan, it is important to have the stakeholders on board. If they are not on board with the plan, it is not worth the paper it is written on. I ask the Minister to consider sharing a draft copy of the plan with Comhdháil Oileáin na hÉireann to ensure it is on board with the Minister when she rolls this out. That will really make it a success.

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