Seán Kyne (Galway West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

94. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her plans for the airstrips at Cleggan and Inishbofin, County Galway; if discussions have taken place or are planned with the Irish Coast Guard regarding the use of the facilities in its work; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46858/14]

Seán Kyne (Galway West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

This question relates to the Government's plans for the airstrips at Cleggan and Inishbofin. Has the Minister of State had any engagement with the Irish Coast Guard on their use?

Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Beidh mé ag streachailt i mBéarla anois. An bhfuil sé sin ar dóigh? As the Deputy is aware, my Department has developed airstrips at Cleggan and Inishbofin in County Galway. These airstrips are not open at present. They are not licensed for use by the Irish Aviation Authority. The landing of aircraft on the airstrips is prohibited. The Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht decided in 2013 to dispose of both airstrips. This decision was made in view of the economic downturn, the ongoing cost of maintaining the airstrips and the unlikelihood that the Department will at any time in the near future have the resources to provide financial support to an air service between Inishbofin and the mainland. The Department is assessing the disposal options that are available to it. A decision in this regard will be announced in due course. I can confirm that the Department has received inquiries from various parties, including the Irish Coast Guard, about the future use of the facilities. I understand the Irish Coast Guard has used the island's airstrip for daytime emergency medical evacuations. Night-time evacuations are not possible as there are no landing lights on either airstrip. My Department has been in contact with the Irish Coast Guard and has indicated that it will examine any proposals it may have in this regard.

Seán Kyne (Galway West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for his reply. I would like to take this opportunity to thank him and the Minister for the additional capital funding for Údarás na Gaeltachta, which was announced today. I know the Minister and the Minister of State engaged in a great deal of consultation with my colleague, Seosamh Ó Laoi, who is a member of the board of Údarás na Gaeltachta, on this matter. Today's announcement has been welcomed in my local area.

I thank the Minister of State for response to Question No. 94. Has any timeline been set out for when a decision will be made? Has consideration been given to opening a period of consultation with the people of Inishbofin and the general Cleggan and Clifden area? Given that a great deal of investment was made to put the airstrips in place, it is a shame that they have been left in their current condition. Has the Government explored the options with regard to consultation with local people? Has the option of leasing the airstrips been offered to them? I imagine that the cost of purchasing them would be prohibitive. Has the Government considered that? If not, will it do so?

Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I dtús báire, ba mhaith liom mo bhuíochas a ghabháil le mo chomhghleacaithe, na hAirí, na Teachtaí Humphreys, Howlin agus Noonan as ucht a gcuid tacaíochta i rith an phróisis Mheastachán i ndiaidh an bhuiséid. Tá mé thar a bheith sásta go mbeidh airgead breise ar fáil d'Údarás na Gaeltachta. Rinne mé gealltanas i ndiaidh an bhuiséid fá choinne iarracht a dhéanamh ina thaobh. Tá sár-obair ar siúl ag an údarás. Thug an Teachta Kyne agus mé féin cuairt ar HID Global i nGaillimh i rith an tsamhraidh. Tá Údarás na Gaeltachta ag obair go dian dícheallach le Randox agus na comhlachtaí eile sna ceantracha éagsúla timpeall na Gaeltachta chun fostaíocht a chruthú agus a chosaint.

Deputy Kyne proposed that a timeline should be set out with regard to the two airstrips. I am open to doing something constructive here. The Deputy will be in touch with the various groups and comharchumainn on the ground in his backyard and his constituency. I would be interested in doing something about these two airstrips, which cost €9 million. That is the amount of money that went into the two airstrips, which are lying idle. As far as I am aware, the Irish Coast Guard has an interest in them. I have spoken to a few senior officers. The Deputy's question is a demonstration of his interest in this matter. Some of his colleagues in County Galway have been on to me as well. We have to try to move this forward. If the Irish Coast Guard is interested, maybe we should sit down and see how we can move this forward. I am open to the Deputy's suggestions. If he has ideas on how to move this forward, I will certainly be interested in hearing them.

Seán Kyne (Galway West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for his reply. Gabhaim buíochas leis as ucht an fhreagra. Given that we are coming up to Christmas, I would suggest that a brief period of consultation be provided for early in the new year to allow people to express their opinions. Perhaps we can take submissions of interest and proceed from there with a plan. Some of the people who are interested in renting these airstrips believe options like unlicensed aerodrome activity should be considered. They have suggested that private aeroplanes could be allowed to land at these airstrips without them having to be manned. Ideally, we would want a commercial operation, but that might not be possible. We need to explore all options. Perhaps the Minister of State will consider setting aside a period of consultation early in the new year to allow people to respond.

Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I am interested in doing something constructive with the many stakeholders and different groups in this sector. Galway County Council was heavily involved at one stage. Deputy Kyne has his ear to the ground and will certainly have ideas as well. I will speak to my officials on this matter. We will see how we can try to move it forward. If people have an interest in and are willing to use the existing infrastructure, commercially or otherwise, that should be considered. The Irish Coast Guard, which is primarily a voluntary organisation, has expressed an interest. We should be open to any ideas that might be proposed by the Irish Coast Guard, which does a great deal of professional work on the ground. If there are other ideas, they should be considered too.

Joe O'Reilly (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Question No. 95 is in the name of Deputy Durkan. As the Deputy is absent at the moment, we will move on to Question No. 96.

Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

It is not very often that the Deputy is absent, especially if there is a question to be asked.

Joe O'Reilly (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Do not tempt fate. He could be on his way.