Seán Kyne (Galway West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire, Deputy Hogan, sa Teach inniu chun an cheist thábhachtach seo do Chonamara theas a phlé, an ceart atá ag daoine eile i nGaillimh stáisiún dóiteáin a bheith acu sa cheantar. Níl a fhios agam cén fáth gur tharla sé go bhfuil seacht stáisiúin dóiteáin i nGaillimh thoir ach nach bhfuil ach ceann amháin i gConamara, sa Chlochán, agus an príomh stáisiún i gcathair na Gaillimhe ag freastal ar Chonamara theas. Níl mise ná aon pholaiteoir ó Chonamara nó Gaillimh thiar sásta leis an tseirbhís seo.

Nílim ag cur aon mhilleán ar an Aire faoi seo, mar ní bhfuair an Roinn aon iarratas ó Chomhairle Contae na Gaillimhe maidir le seo. Bhí an cás os comhair cruinniú de Chomhairle Contae na Gaillimhe Dé Luain agus rinne na comhairleoirí cinneadh iarratas a sheoladh chuig an Roinn Comhshaoil, Pobail agus Rialtais Áitiúil faoi seo. Bhí cruinniú againn sa Cheathrú Rua cúpla seachtain ó shin agus dúirt mé ag an gcruinniú sin go bhféadfadh an comhairle contae airgead a thabhairt ó lá go lá chun seirbhís a chur ar fáil agus chun pá an fhoireann dóiteáin a íoc. Nílim cinnte an bhfuil an bainisteoir nó an fhoireann bainistíochta sásta é sin a dhéanamh fós.

An cheist atá agam don Aire ná an bhfuair sé iarratas fós ón gcomhairle contae. Freisin, nuair a chuireann an chomhairle contae iarratas isteach, an mbeidh an tAire in ann breathnú air i gcomhthéacs airgead caipitil chun stáisiún nua a thógáil? Chomh maith le sin, an mbeidh sé in ann breathnú ar chead a thabhairt don chomhairle contae chun foireann don stáisiún nua a fhostú, cé go bhfuil moratorium nó stop curtha ar daoine nua a fhostú sa seirbhís poiblí? Tá sé ráite ag príomhfheidhmeannach Údaras na Gaeltachta go bhfuil sé sásta suí síos leis an chomhairle contae agus an Roinn chun suíomh feiliúnach a aimsiú. Tá sean foirgneamh ag an gcomhairle a bheadh feiliúnach freisin.

There are seven fire stations in the eastern part of County Galway, only one of which, Clifden station, is in Connemara. The main station in Galway city serves part of south Connemara. By comparison, there are five stations in County Leitrim and 16 in County Donegal. The southern part of Connemara is one of the most poorly served areas in the country in terms of fire service provision. I do not blame the Minister for this. I understand no application from the local authority has been received by the Department. A meeting of the council took place last Monday, however, at which a decision was made to submit a formal application for a fire service in the area.

I was in Carraroe some weeks ago for a public meeting which more than 200 people attended. It was organised by Coiste Cearta Chonamara, which has been campaigning for 20 years for the provision of a fire service. I stated at the meeting that the day-to-day running costs of any new fire station would have to be borne by the county council from its budget, with the capital costs being a matter for the Department. The principal officer of Údarás na Gaeltachta, Steve Ó Cúláin, indicated at the meeting that he would be happy to discuss a suitable location with the authority and the Roinn. He told the meeting that Údarás na Gaeltachta has buildings and units that are not in use and might be suitable for a fire station.

That is a positive in terms of the cost.

Let us consider the geography of Connemara. According to AA Route Planner the journey from Carraroe to Galway City via Furbo is one hour and 13 minutes and the journey from Lettermullen to Galway via Furbo is one hour and 36 minutes. That is too far a distance for the provision of a safe fire service for the people of south Connemara.

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