Michael Collins (Cork South West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Ceann Comhairle for allowing us to speak about this very important issue. There was a shocking announcement at council level two weeks ago that the Dursey Island cable car service would be suspended for repairs from April to November this year. This affects residents on the island, farmers on the mainland that have cattle on the island and tourism. It affects the whole of Allihies, Eyeries, Ardgroom, Castletownbere and many parts of west Cork which depend on tourism.

Councillor Danny Collins put forward a motion at council last week which was fully agreed, namely to request the Minister for Rural and Community Affairs, Deputy Heather Humphreys, to come before the council to talk about a temporary solution that locals feel is not the greatest in the world, that is, a ferry service. In the past two weeks nothing that I know of has happened. At a council meeting yesterday there was no contact from the Minister. I would appreciate if the Minister of State, Deputy O'Donovan, could tell us if the Minister will meet council officials, local public representative and locals to find a solution for Dursey Island.

See this speech in context