Seán Kyne canvasses all four Galway islands in election race / Seán Kyne ag canbhásáil ar na ceithre oileán i nGaillimh sa rás toghcháin

With just days to go to voting in the Galway West bye-election, Fine Gael candidate Senator Seán Kyne has taken to airplanes and ferries to canvass all four Atlantic islands in the constituency.

Today, Senator Kyne was on Inis Meáin.

In recent weeks, the Seanad leader toured Inis Mór, Inis Oírr and Inishbofin to meet residents, community representatives and local businesses to hear their challenges and opportunities on the Galway islands.

The four islands are among the biggest populated in the country: Inis Meáin – 184, Inis Mór – 820, Inis Óirr – 343 and Inishbofin – 184.

Senator Seán Kyne pledged to continue to advocate for island communities, so they thrive for generations to come.

“I’m proud I have visited all four of Galway’s habited islands during this campaign. These communities are the very heart of our culture, language and identity.

“They deserve a strong voice in the Dáil, someone who will fight for investment in infrastructure, services, connectivity that will allow them not just to survive, but to thrive for generations and centuries to come.

“From ferry services and flights to broadband, from healthcare to housing, island communities face unique challenges which need specific solutions.

“I have heard of many challenges facing proud islanders who want to live and raise their families at home. The cost of construction and services can be higher due to the obvious logistical challenges. Connectivity is key to a thriving work force.

“I have also founds immense resilience on the four islands from all there who want their communities to succeed

“As a TD for Galway West I will ensure they are at the heart of all the work we do.”

Senator Kyne, a former Minister of State with responsibility for the Gaeltacht, has a long record of advocating for island communities and the Irish language throughout his political career.

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Níl ach cúpla lá fágtha anois roimh an vótáil i bhfo-thoghchán na Gaillimhe Thiar, agus tá iarrthóir Fhine Gael, an Seanadóir Seán Kyne, tar éis dul ar eitleáin agus ar bháid farantóireachta chun canbhásáil a dhéanamh ar na ceithre oileán san Atlantach sa dáilcheantar.

Inniu, bhí an Seanadóir Kyne ar Inis Meáin.

Sna seachtainí beaga anuas, thug ceannaire an tSeanaid cuairt ar Inis Mór, ar Inis Oírr agus ar Inis Bó Finne chun bualadh le cónaitheoirí, ionadaithe pobail agus gnóthais áitiúla, agus chun éisteacht leis na dúshláin agus na deiseanna atá acu ar oileáin na Gaillimhe.

Tá na ceithre oileán seo i measc na n-oileán is mó daonra sa tír: Inis Mór – 820, Inis Oírr – 343, Inis Meáin – 184, agus Inis Bó Finne – 184.

Gheall an Seanadóir Seán Kyne go leanfadh sé air ag tacú le pobail na n-oileán, chun go mbeidh rath orthu do na glúnta atá le teacht.

“Tá mé bródúil gur thug mé cuairt ar cheithre oileán chónaithe na Gaillimhe le linn an fheachtais seo. Is iad na pobail seo croílár ár gcultúir, ár dteanga agus ár bhféiniúlachta.

“Tá guth láidir tuillte acu sa Dáil, duine a throidfidh ar son infheistíochta san infreastruchtúr, sna seirbhísí agus sa cheangaltacht a thabharfaidh deis dóibh ní hamháin maireachtáil, ach rath a bheith orthu do na glúnta agus do na céadta bliain atá romhainn.

“Ó sheirbhísí farantóireachta agus eitiltí go banna leathan, ó chúram sláinte go tithíocht, tá dúshláin ar leith roimh phobail na n-oileán a dteastaíonn réitigh shonracha uathu.

“Tá sé cloiste agam go bhfuil neart dúshlán roimh mhuintir bhródúil na n-oileán ar mian leo cónaí agus a dteaghlaigh a thógáil sa bhaile. Is féidir le costas tógála agus seirbhísí a bheith níos airde mar gheall ar na dúshláin shoiléire lóistíochta. Tá an cheangaltacht ríthábhachtach d’fhórsa saothair rathúil.

“Fuair mé athléimneacht iontach ar na ceithre oileán chomh maith, ó gach duine ansin ar mian leo go n-éireodh lena bpobail.

“Mar Theachta Dála do Ghaillimh Thiar, cinnteoidh mé go mbeidh siad i gcroílár gach uile ní a dhéanfaimid.”

“Tá stair fhada ag an Seanadóir Kyne, iar-Aire Stáit a raibh freagracht air as an nGaeltacht, ag troid ar son phobail na n-oileán agus ar son na Gaeilge ar feadh a shaoil pholaitiúil.”