Derek Nolan (Galway West, Labour) | Oireachtas source

Go raibh maith agat, a Aire Stáit. Tá súil agam go bhfuil a fhios aige faoin imní atá ar phobal Árann agus go bhfuil suim aige i dtodhchaí na seirbhíse aeir sa lá atá inniu ann. Caithfidh mé a rá freisin go bhfuil a lán obair déanta agam le mo chara agus mo chomhleacaí, an Teachta Kyne, i dtaobh an ábhair seo.

I appreciate that the Minister of State is restricted and I will not push him about details on which he cannot continue. However, I would like to chase up the point about the continuation of the service from the end of this month. Will the Minister of State update the House on whether there has been engagement between his Department and Aer Arann, the status of those discussions, whether he is confident of an outcome and whether we can be certain that, at the end of this month, we will reach a position whereby, while the details are being teased out through the process fairly, duly and in accordance with the law, the people of the Aran Islands will be given the service they require and on which their schools, sporting life, medical life and every facet of their connection with the mainland is dependent? This is the crucial point that needs to be clarified. The immediate concern is that there be connectivity at the end of the month.

In his good offices, will the Minister of State ensure that the issues I have outlined and that are inherent in the process are dealt with as quickly as possible? His office, the OGP and every party involved should keep the momentum going, get a resolution quickly and achieve certainty about the service's future as soon as possible.

See this speech in context