Minister Murphy was accompanied by Éamon Ó Cuív Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs in the south.
Minister Murphy was visiting the Island with Minister Ó Cuív to share experiences about how government can help island communities and to gain insights into island life. Community leaders from Rathlin Island also made the trip to see at first-hand how for the islanders of Inis Oírr have developed socio-economic activities to sustain the island community.
Speaking about the benefits of visiting Inis Oírr Minister Murphy said: “I welcome this opportunity to see for myself what can be done to improve the uniqueness of island living. Today’s visit with my colleague Minister Ó Cuív has provided an opportunity to share ideas about how we can maintain and develop our island communities.
“It is useful for me, and those from Rathlin who have joined me on this trip, to meet with other islanders, to share experiences, and to find examples of best practice in terms of sustainability. We will take these insights back with us to add value to our plans for improving life on Rathlin.
“Since coming into office, I have been committed to improving island life for the people of Rathlin and have championed the development of an Executive Policy for Rathlin. It was a milestone to launch the draft Rathlin Policy for public consultation during my visit to Rathlin Island last month. Once the Policy has been finalised, I am sure that what we have learned here today will help in the development of an Action Plan to implement the Policy."
John McCurdy from the Rathlin Island Development and Community Association, was one of the representatives from Rathlin Island to join the Ministers on the visit to Inis Oírr. He said: "I am very pleased to be invited on this fact finding trip to Inis Oírr by Minister Murphy and Minister Ó Cuív. It is beneficial to see for myself how island life is managed here, and to get the opportunity to learn about infrastructure and the delivery of services on Inis Oírr."
Mervyn Storey MLA, who represents the North Antrim constituency, was also included in the visit.
The visit included a tour of Comhar Caomhán Teo, the Inis Oírr co-operative which is central to the development of the island. The co-operative not only operates a trading store, but also has manages rubbish collection on the island and manages the air service. The delegation also visited Áras Éanna, the Island's arts and heritage centre, which runs a residency programme for visiting artists.
Notes to Editors:
1. Conor Murphy, Minister for Regional Development, has responsibility for subsidising the ferry service to Rathlin Island and has also developed a draft Executive policy for Rathlin.
2. The draft Rathlin Policy was published for public consultation on 10 June 2009. Consultation will continue until 18 September 2009. The DRD led cross-departmental policy will allow the Executive to proactively respond to the needs of the islanders on issues around public transport and roads infrastructure, health and social care, education and schooling, agriculture, community development, tourism and economic development. Draft Policy can be downloaded from the Department’s website www.drdni.gov.uk
3. Following completion of the consultation process, an action plan will be developed to implement specific projects and measures over a two year period. A forum chaired by Minister for Regional Development, Conor Murphy will be established to oversee the implementation of the action plan, which will be reviewed every two years.
4. Éamon Ó Cuív T.D. is Minister for the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs in the south. He has responsibility for offshore islands and his department subsidises ferry services and invests in the islands' infrastructures.
5. Media queries to: Press Office, Department for Regional Development, Tel: 028 9054 0004. Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.
