Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Táim buíoch don deis atá agam inniu labhairt ar an ábhar seo. It is opportune to raise this after the recent Private Members' motion led by Deputy Connolly on islands, which referred to the reality of life for people living on islands. Our islands are places that have great natural beauty and a great welcome for people who visit, as well as amazing communities that work together on so many issues. The challenges are population decline, isolation and limited economic activity.

The economic activity usually comes from three areas, namely,agriculture, fishing and tourism, which provide employment. When I speak of Cape Clear, I am not speaking about what I have read but am speaking from what I know from personal experience from many years being associated with Oileán Chléire. As I was there most recently in August, I know the reality of what I am raising here. Winter months are very quiet so the months between April until late September are vital. They are prime time for tourism. They get national and international tourists, as well as family and relatives coming back to visit the island and derive income from this tourism.

One initiative they have developed, supported by Comharchumann Chléire, is a tour to the Fastnet lighthouse. It is a major tourist attraction and boats go, supported by the comharchumann, from Baltimore, Schull and Cape Clear. It is weather-dependent but hundreds of done the tour. It has won many accolades. For example, it was recognised by National Geographicas one of the ten best on the Wild Atlantic Way, while the Irish Independentconsiders Fastnet to be one of the seven wonders of Ireland. The tour has had many beneficial effects on the island and in West Cork. Dún na Séad IIis the new fast ferry, which would be a great advantage for Fastnet tours, as she is modern, comfortable and fast. I know this from personal experience. Even on rough days it is comfortable and sturdy. As cathaoirleach of the comharchumann, Niamh Ní Dhrisceoil said, it is the future.However, the new fast ferry has been refused a licence to operate out to Fastnet within 500 m of the rock. It is this 500 m beside Fastnet that gives the unforgettable experience, which I have had. It is an amazing engineering feat.

Vessels of a smaller size are allowed to go up close, as are other boats, some of which are bigger than Dún na Séad II. From personal experience, I must say that maritime safety and passenger ferry safety are of utmost importance to the highly qualified and experienced crew who run these ferries. Consequently, I must query this decision from the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, which has responsibility for both tourism and certification of these vessels.

The 500 m distance is very important for the real Fastnet experience. The irony is that some Cape Clear boats, namely, the Naomh Ciarán, the Dún an Óirand the Dún Aengus, which are all bigger boats, can go within 500 m, as can fishing boats and yachts, so why not the new ferry? Is it that the rules have not been updated to take the faster boats into account? I hope that in his reply, the Minister will tell me this has been addressed and rectified but if not, can there be a review on what has led to this decision? I ask that there be a meeting in the Department with the industry providers because policies must be reviewed, updated and improved. It is in the bigger context that islands need to increase employment opportunities and attracting visitors to them is one way of doing so. Cape Clear is in a unique geographic position to have those tours to Fastnet. It is like a gateway there and this fast ferry is a vital element of it.

I hope there will be a positive response today from the Minister.

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