RDCA Committee Statement on the Rathlin Island Policy

Thursday 11 March 2010

The RDCA welcomes endorsement of Rathlin Policy by Stormont Executive:

"We are delighted with the news that the Stormont Executive has endorsed the Policy for Rathlin Island.

This is a great tribute to the hard work of Rathlin’s residential community and the efforts of those in Stormont who have taken this important initiative forward.

We are particularly pleased to recognise the support of the Minister for Regional Development, Conor Murphy, and his team who have offered invaluable commitment to the project.

Many of the basic services that are taken for granted by other rural communities on the mainland have only been made available on Rathlin within the last 20 years, through the determination and perseverance of Rathlin residents. There is still much to be done.

This Policy helps to strengthen working relationships with our elected representatives and regional government. It offers an exciting model that will help make joined-up work more of a reality between the different government departments, other agencies and Rathlin residents.

We have started working with the Department for Regional Development on a detailed Action Plan for the Policy and look forward to using this key stepping-stone to support the sustainable development of our island and of our community."

The full text of the policy is available here.