Scottish islands hope to set up a joint working group with their Irish offshore counterparts to share expertise on transport links, renewable energy, fishing and infrastructure.
A delegation from the West Islands Council has met the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Mr Ó Cuív, to establish a shared initiative. The delegation visited the Aran Islands last week to compare experiences with the Scottish communities. Mr Donald Manford, Mr Murdo McMurray and Mr Calum MacLeod also met officials from the Minister's Department in Furbo, Co Galway. Mr McMurray said there was a false perception that island communities simply wanted more state subsidies.
"Historically, islands have been subsidised, but most people want some measure of independence, and the economic means to achieve this," he said. Renewable energy initiatives could offer a measure of greater autonomy.
Changes in the fishing industry which had forced island owners of larger vessels to move to deep-water harbours were a common experience in Scotland and Ireland, he said. The depopulation implications of such developments had to be considered in the context of overall marine policies, Mr McMurray noted.
