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

As the Deputy will be aware, the Government is committed to publishing a ten-year policy on island development, with associated three-year action plans. Indeed, the programme for Government includes a commitment in this regard and, as Minister with responsibility for the islands, I am determined to ensure the policy is delivered. I have received an initial working draft of the policy, which sets out the context for the policy and defines strategic objectives. I will be meeting with my officials in the coming days to review the overall direction of the policy and discuss the next steps and timeline for completion.

The Government's ambition for a national policy and action plan for the islands was set out in chapter 10 of Our Rural Future, the action plan for rural development 2021-2025, published in 2021. The Deputy will be aware an extensive consultation process has been completed by my Department, including meetings with island communities and relevant Departments and agencies. The feedback from this consultation process provided a valuable insight into the key priorities, and indeed challenges and opportunities, for our island communities.

An interdepartmental committee for the islands was established and its most recent meeting was held on 22 June 2022, where it was agreed committee members would review their Department's draft input and revert with revised actions. I understand the interdepartmental committee is scheduled to meet again in October, when members will be able to share their feedback, observations and recommendations regarding the initial draft of the policy. I expect the policy and action plan to be finalised between now and the end of the year. It is a long time in the making but it is nearly there and I am glad that is the case. I am glad I was able to attend the AGM of Comhdháil Oileáin na hÉireann on Árainn Mhór, where I got a chance to speak to the representative groups who were there from islands around the country. It is 26 years in the making and it is nearly there.

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