Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Tuigimid in Oifig na nOibreacha Poiblí cé chomh tábhachtach is atá an oileán, ní hamháin d’oidhreacht agus do stair áitiúil iarthar Chiarraí ach de bharr an tsaibhris bithéagsúlachta atá ar an oileán freisin. Ar an ábhar sin, tá sé an-tábhachtach domsa, ní hamháin mar Aire Stáit le freagracht speisialta maidir le hOifig na nOibreacha Poiblí ach freisin mar Aire Stáit na Gaeltachta, dul chun cinn a dhéanamh sna rudaí atá leagtha amach ag an Teachta sa Dáil ar maidin.

We will work with Kerry County Council. The fact that I am now also the Minister of State with special responsibility for the Gaeltacht helps in this context as well. This is not only an important element in terms of heritage, biodiversity, literature and everything else in this context, but it is also a hugely important asset for the people of the Gaeltacht. My Department, the OPW, the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media and Kerry County Council will form a high-level official group to work on the issues on the island, including disembarking. Regarding this aspect, I previously said in the House that it is not up to satisfaction, according to my standards certainly and for anybody who has mobility problems. Something needs to be done about this.

See this speech in context