Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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Before I bring in the Minister of State, Deputy Joe O'Brien, I will say that we have received correspondence from the Minister's office on the issue of Clare Island. With the consent of the committee, we will circulate it to the community on the island. The issue relates to the number of operations to and from the islands. The islanders believe that has not been given adequate weighting in the tender structure. There are presently five services a day during the summer and three services during the winter. Is the Minister saying that will be the minimum standard that will be achieved or is the minimum the two services a day referred to in the contract? That is the key aspect. I ask the Minister, in the context of the deliberation on the tender, to take that into account. I thank her for the offer to meet a deputation from the island and we will communicate that to the islanders.

I call on the Minister of State, Deputy Joe O'Brien, to answer some of the outstanding questions from Deputy Ó Cathasaigh.