Martin Kenny (Sligo-Leitrim, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I commend Údarás na Gaeltachta, a body that has done tremendous work. It has been a shining example of what can be achieved when proper investment is made in an area or sector. Such bodies can deliver and not just pay for themselves but give rise to a multiplier effect in rural communities. They generally work in Gaeltacht regions.

The other issue that must be addressed is tourism. The islands have a unique tourism offering that must be developed. More assistance must be put in place to ensure a tourism offering is put in place on islands and in Gaeltacht regions. We have an opportunity in that regard. We made some advances through the marketing of the Wild Atlantic Way by Bord Fáilte, but a lot more could be done. Tourism on the islands in particular is something that must be examined. This comes back to having adequate infrastructure in place to get people safely to and from the islands. Investment is also required on the islands. When we talk about rural communities that have been left behind, island communities have been left further behind than anywhere else. For that reason, we must focus on putting the investment in place for the infrastructure to properly develop the islands.

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