Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

I cannot speak for Cork County Council, but the last-minute nature of the announcement was unacceptable. Weeks before the closure, I raised it with the Minister's Department. It is disappointing that the Minister is unwilling to acknowledge the frustrations and worries of the island community. It is an incredibly resilient group, but it needs Government policy backed with concrete measures to support it now. I have continuously pushed for investment in small piers on our islands and coastlines. They are vital infrastructure to support local communities, fishing, recreation, tourism and accessibility, but they are significantly underfunded. Every year, Cork County Council and other local authorities get insufficient funds to maintain and develop the piers. Some piers got welcome funding under the recent Brexit adjustment fund, but I could list many more in west Cork alone. What are the Minister's plans to prioritise investment in those small piers?

Funding was eventually put in place for the Dursey Island cable car. I am grateful to the Minister and her Department for that. I am trying to highlight that it took a long time. It was raised with the Department earlier. Will the Minister reassure those communities?

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