Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Leas-Cheann Comhairle for giving me time to respond, certainly to one of the representations. While I acknowledge the difficulties in which people have found themselves, they should be debated in a calmer atmosphere. This is a safety issue, for which there is a remedy. I have spelled it out. Like any responsible politician, I am not prepared to allow people to take risks by bringing fare-paying passengers to places that are deemed to be unsafe, regardless of whether they are islands or tourist spots. The moment it is safe to do so, the relevant authorities will give those involved the go-ahead to resume bringing passengers to the island in order that it can retake its position as a very worthy tourist destination. That is what we are aiming to do. I hope Deputy Marc MacSharry is not annoyed that I mentioned Ms Marie Casserly. She has been presenting the case for Inishmurray in a far more calm and reasoned way than the Deputy has today. I suggest the Deputy would be more effective if he were a little less excitable and a little more reasonable and logical.

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