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

I fully understand how sometimes people are very isolated but I think there is an opportunity on islands, the same way as there is in rural Ireland, to embrace new technology. There is a really exciting project taking place on Clare Island, where they are looking at e-health and at how they can use new technology to enhance living on the islands. It is not easy. I have been there in the good weather but I cannot imagine what it is like in the wintertime. It cannot be easy. We want to support our island communities and I am very committed to doing that. I have been to a good few of the islands and I will continue to maintain that engagement and to keep those lines of communication open. I am happy to work with the islands. I know I will get the support of the Deputies in this House when we move forward with this policy to make sure it addresses those issues and that it is an ambitious policy. I launched Our Rural Future only a year ago and it has been a very successful policy. I want to see the islands policy in that same space.

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