There is no doubt the Minister's contribution to gaeltachtaí and the islands surpasses everything received by these communities previously. Bus, rail and air transport services, for example, have not been readily available on islands, most of which are located off the west coast. There has been significant depopulation of the islands over the past 50 years and, as the Minister correctly stated, if education, health and integrated transport facilities and services had been available over the years, depopulation would not have taken place.