Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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1193. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of occasions on which the interdepartmental committee for the development of the islands met in 2020; the dates of the meetings in 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44696/20]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Interdepartmental Committee for the development of a new Islands Policy was established in late 2019, and met on two occasions prior to a consultation process with island communities being undertaken. 

It was intended that the Committee would reconvene on completion of the consultation process, and would then meet on a regular basis to oversee the development of the Islands Policy. 

A total of 11 consultation meetings took place with island communities in early 2020.  However, the consultation process had to be temporarily suspended due to COVID-19 travel restrictions and to avoid health risks both for the island communities and Departmental officials.  The consultation process was re-commenced through an on-line format in the final quarter of 2020 and will conclude shortly. 

No meetings of the Interdepartmental Committee were held during 2020, but with the consultation process drawing to a close, arrangements are being made to reconvene the Interdepartmental Committee in the coming weeks to review the main messages which have emerged from the consultation process.  The scope and structure for the drafting of the new policy will also be agreed at that meeting.