Joe O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I will proceed. Sustainability of communities on the islands is a fundamental objective of the Government, as set out in its Our Rural Future: Rural Development Policy 2021-2025. Inherent in the support for sustainability is the requirement for the provision of safe access to the islands for ferry passengers, fishermen and women and other recreational users of the harbours. As the Deputy will be aware, the relevant local authorities are responsible authorities for maintenance and development of infrastructure on the islands. To that end, the Department of Rural and Community Development provides financial support to the local authorities for priority projects. To address safety issues affecting piers on Inis Oírr and Inis Meáin, the Government included development of these two harbours among capital projects identified in the Project Ireland 2040 plan. The Department of Rural and Community Development is now progressing these, in conjunction with Galway County Council. A development committee comprising representatives from the Department, Galway County Council and PUNCH consulting engineers was established and it has been meeting regularly to monitor progress.

With regard to Inis Oírr pier, the Department has approved the business case and Galway County Council is in the process of resolving a number of pre-construction issues prior to issuing a draft tender for their development. These issues include application for a foreshore licence for the works on the island, completion of environmental reports for an appropriate assessment and preparing the compulsory purchase order, CPO, applications. The timetable has been discussed by the development committee providing for a tendering process of approximately nine months, after which construction will advance in stages. The finalised plan is likely to take several years to complete, taking account of the weather and sea conditions.

With regard to Inis Meáin, the business case is still in development with Galway County Council. The Department has provided advice to the council in this regard. The proposed design of Inis Meáin harbour and pier will be informed by modelling work being carried out by the National Maritime College of Ireland in Cork. The Department has funded this work and, at a meeting in July, skippers had an opportunity to test the initial release of the model. This proved very informative for both skippers and the council engineers. A further iteration of the model is being developed. Once the modelling has been completed and its impact on design of the pier fully understood, the business case can proceed for approval.

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