Islands investment needed to ensure communities thrive – Kyne / Infheistíocht sna hoileáin de dhíth chun go mbeidh rath agus bláth ar phobail – Kyne

Sustained investment is needed in Ireland’s island and coastal communities which stand proudly on Europe’s western edge, a Fine Gael Senator has said.

Senator Seán Kyne, Fine Gael’s candidate in the upcoming Galway West bye-election, celebrated the upcoming Europe Day on the 9th of May by travelling to meet with the community on Inis Mór.

He said: “Inis Mór is one of the most extraordinary places in Ireland – a living testament to the resilience and vibrancy of life on the western edge of Europe.

“Communities like this need investment to remain vibrant. Connectivity, housing, healthcare, and support for the Irish language must be priorities, not afterthoughts. And with Ireland taking on the EU Presidency this July, we have a real opportunity to ensure that our rural, coastal and island communities are heard at the highest levels in Europe.

“I want work to continue on the Islands Strategy, which I initiated as Minister for the Islands, to ensure our islands and their communities thrives for decades and centuries to come.”

Senator Kyne said Ireland assuming the Presidency of the Council of the European Union in July represented a timely opportunity for Ireland to shape Europe’s agenda – and for Galway West to benefit from renewed focus on regional development, research and the potential for the Atlantic economy.

He said there are several areas where Ireland’s Presidency intersects with the needs and strengths of Galway West and its islands including marine investment, rural development, language policy and innovation.

“Ireland has always played a strong role in the European Union. The Presidency is a chance to show leadership, promote fairness and sustainability, and deliver real benefits for communities in Galway west. From our islands to our city, from Galway’s research facilities to our farms, this is a moment to be ambitious for the west. I will do all I can to make sure we maximise it.

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Tá infheistíocht inbhuanaithe de dhíth ar phobail oileánda agus chósta na hÉireann atá ina seasamh go bródúil ar imeall thiar na hEorpa, a dúirt Seanadóir de chuid Fhine Gael.

D’fhonn Lá na hEorpa an 9 Bealtaine a cheiliúradh, thaistil an Seanadóir Seán Kyne, iarrthóir Fhine Gael i bhfothoghchán Ghaillimh Thiar, go hInis Mór chun bualadh leis an bpobal áitiúil.

Dúirt sé, “Tá Inis Mór ar cheann de na háiteanna is suntasaí in Éirinn. Is teist bheo í ar an teacht aniar agus ar an mbeochan atá i saol mhuintir imeall thiar na hEorpa.

“Tá infheistíocht de dhíth ar phobail mar seo chun go bhfanfaidh siad beoga. Ní mór tosaíocht a thabhairt do nascacht, tithíocht, cúram sláinte, agus tacaíocht don Ghaeilge, seachas iad a bheith ina n-iar-smaointe. Agus Éire ag dul i mbun Uachtaránacht an AE i mí Iúil seo chugainn, tá deis iontach againn a chinntiú go n-éisteofar lenár bpobail tuaithe, chósta agus oileánda ag na leibhéil is airde san Eoraip.

“Ba mhaith liom go leanfaí leis an obair ar Straitéis na nOileán, a chuir mé i bhfeidhm mar Aire na nOileán. Tá sé seo ríthábhachtach chun a chinntiú go mbeidh rath ar ár n-oileáin agus ar a bpobail sna ficheata agus sna céadta bliain amach romhainn.”

Dúirt an Seanadóir Kyne gur dheis thráthúil í an tréimhse ina mbeidh Éire i mbun Uachtaránacht Chomhairle an Aontais Eorpaigh i mí Iúil “chun clár oibre na hEorpa a mhúnlú – agus chun go mbainfidh Gaillimh Thiar tairbhe as fócas nua ar fhorbairt réigiúnach, ar thaighde agus ar acmhainneacht gheilleagar an Atlantaigh.

Dúirt sé go bhfuil roinnt réimsí ann ina dtagann Uachtaránacht na hÉireann le chéile le riachtanais agus le buanna Ghaillimh Thiar agus na n-oileán, lena n-áirítear: infheistíocht mhuirí, forbairt tuaithe, polasaí teanga agus nuálaíocht.

“Bhí ról láidir ag Éirinn san Aontas Eorpach i gcónaí. Is deis í an Uachtaránacht chun ceannaireacht a thaispeáint, cothroime agus inbhuanaitheacht a chur chun cinn, agus fíorthairbhí a bhaint amach do phobail i nGaillimh Thiar. Óár n-oileáin go dtí ár gcathair, ó áiseanna taighde na Gaillimhe go dtí ár bhfeirmeacha, is tráth é seo le bheith uaillmhianach don iarthar. Déanfaidh mé mo dhícheall ar fad chun a chinntiú go mbainfimid an leas is fearr as.”