Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Go raibh maith ag an Deputy for raising this issue. As she will be aware, the pier on Inis Meáin is listed among the capital development projects referenced in the national development plan. To date, approximately €14 million has been spent on the project's first two phases. Users of the pier, including a number of State-subsidised ferry operators, have highlighted issues with capacity at the harbour as well as with currents around the harbour mouth. I understand that the next step is for Galway County Council to review the draft business case, setting out the options for further development, including options to address the issues regarding access to the harbour.

In June 2020, my Department provided funding to Galway County Council to commission the preparation of a simulation model of the harbour by the National Maritime College of Ireland, NMCI. This modelling will examine a range of designs to address the problems and provide guidance for vessels accessing the harbour. Covid-19 restrictions have meant that access to the NMCI facility has not been possible in recent months. However, Galway County Council is making arrangements with the NMCI to progress the work, having regard to public health guidelines and travel restrictions. Once the NMCI has completed its work and Galway County Council has incorporated the findings into its draft business case, the Department will evaluate the options in line with the public spending code and available funding. At that stage, the finalised plan for the pier will be prepared.

It should be noted that all requisite permissions and assessments will need to be undertaken once the final plan has been scoped out and agreed.

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