Trevor Ó Clochartaigh (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Gabhaim gach dea-ghuí ar an Seanadóir Jimmy Harte. Is iomaí spalla a bhíodh mé féin agus Jimmy ag caitheamh le chéile trasna úrlár an tSeanaid ach ar deireadh thiar bhíomar cairdiúil go leor ar bhonn pearsanta. Guím gach rath air sa todhchaí leis an dúshlán mór atá roimhe.

Ba mhaith liom freisin go mbeadh díospóireacht againn maidir le cúrsaí oileáin. Tá ionsaí leanúnach á dhéanamh ag an Rialtas seo ar na hoileáin agus ní sa ghné is deireanaí maidir leis an tseirbhís aeir go hÁrainn ach gné amháin de.

I would like us to have a debate on this Government’s islands policy. It has been stated to me on many occasions over the summer that there appears to be a constant barrage of attacks on island services by this Government, such as the cuts to the ferry services, in particular to Inis Mór and the fact that the Government will not provide a second teacher in the primary school on Inis Meain, the people have had to depend on a private company to do that. There are problems in health provision from doctors and nurses on most of the islands. The Leader company, Comhar na nOileán, will be defunct if it is not given permission to continue. That certainly looks to be the policy of the Government.

The air service to the Aran Islands has been an absolute fiasco and the way it has been handled is a disgrace. We also see that the section in the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht that deals with the islands seems to have been slimmed down, starved of resources and really is not able to do its work. People tell me that amounts to an absolute attack on the life and livelihoods of people on the islands. It is very important that we have the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht in here to discuss the future viability and sustainability of our island populations, the wealth they bring to the nation, their importance and how important it is to support them in their efforts to maintain vital services on those islands and vibrant populations. It would be a very timely debate. I hope the Leader will be able to facilitate that debate as soon as possible.