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

I thank the Deputy for raising this matter. Galway County Council is the responsible authority for the maintenance and development of infrastructure on the Aran Islands.

The development of the pier on Inis Oírr is listed among the strategic objectives set out in Project Ireland 2040. A steering committee consisting of representatives from my Department, Galway County Council and the consulting engineers has been meeting regularly to monitor progress. I understand that Galway County Council submitted a pre-application, with supporting documents, for a foreshore licence in July 2021. It subsequently held a meeting with the foreshore unit in the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, where it was advised that the environmental reports it had submitted needed updating and that additional reports were needed.

Further to that meeting, Galway County Council sought quotations from environmental consultancies to carry out a gap analysis study. This was to review the environmental information available and to compile recommendations for the extent of further studies required which would form a part of the supporting materials for the foreshore licence. The gap analysis study is now under way. It is estimated that it will be completed in early May. Additionally, Galway County Council is in regular contact with the foreshore unit and they have agreed to assist the local authority with mapping the area where the licence will apply.

In relation to the cost, while Galway County Council has given projected costs for the development, a definitive cost will not be available until the tendering process has been completed. Work on this project will span a number of years and I am confident that funding will be available to complete this important project.

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