Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

The problem, and the reason I tabled the motion, as did people before me, is the crisis in respect of the islands' population. Of the 30 islands, eight are in Gaeltacht areas and they contain 70% of the population. On so many levels, including Irish language sustainability, this is about the sustainability of the islands, whether their populations speak Irish or English. That is why we put the focus of the Government on this. It has taken many years.

Can the Minister not publish the policy? If she cannot publish it now because she is waiting for the action plan, will she give us a date for that? It is very worrying to hear the phrase "will be finalised as soon as possible" being used by the Minister. I have a library of answers on this matter and that is the weakest one, apart from the fact the Minister said she is not happy, which is a clear message, and wants stronger action. I welcome that but we have not even to the point of underpinning the policy with legislation, which has been done in Scotland, where its islands population has increased because it has a policy, an action plan and legislation.

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