Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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33. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will attend an urgent meeting between the Galway West Oireachtas Members, Connemara councillors, the Galway County Council national roads project office and Transport Infrastructure Ireland to consider the delay in the development of the N59 from Oughterard to Maam Cross and from Maam Cross to Clifden, County Galway, which is a vital artery for the Connemara Gaeltacht and the rural area of Connemara generally, particularly in view of the recent Bord Pleanála decision and her responsibilities in the development of the Gaeltacht, rural areas and the islands; if she will arrange for an official from the heritage side of her Department to attend this meeting in order that issues regarding natural heritage will be addressed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13681/16]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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My Department has had extensive engagement, including significant pre-planning engagement, with Galway County Council on the projects referred to by the Deputy. My Department has continued its considerable engagement following An Bord Pleanála’s consent for the Oughterard to Maam Cross section of the road project. Some eight method statements have been received to date on the project, with initial statements approved within two weeks or less. Recent statements received have been particularly complex and key information was omitted or the statements had not been approved by the council, as required. Senior officials of my Department arranged a meeting earlier this month with Galway County Council to address these issues and this positive engagement will continue.

3 o’clock

There is no doubt that the overall N59 development is a complex project. It is incumbent on my Department to balance its regional development objectives and its environmental obligations in seeking to contribute to a positive outcome for the people of Galway West, Connemara and the region in general while seeking also to avoid the project falling foul of legal challenge.

I remain available to meet, as necessary, with public representatives on this matter. I have had meetings with my colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy Kyne, on the matter and he has briefed me on it and impressed upon me the importance of this road to the area.

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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This road is included in Transport 21. I insisted on the coastal secondary roads being included in it. Since planning was given for the project virtually no progress has been made on the stretch from Oughterard to Maam Cross. We will not have a rural Ireland with its unique cultural heritage if we do not provide basic infrastructure. In view of the offer of the Minister of State, Deputy Kyne, to meet us on Friday in the Department's office in Na Forbacha to discuss the air service, could a parallel meeting be arranged that morning with the Minister's officials, the county council and the Teachtaí Dála and the Seanadóirí for the area to once and for all discuss how we can collectively progress this project, which is of vital interest? I do not believe that the environmental challenges are half a big as the Minister has said. What we will possibly gain in terms of the environment we are losing in cultural and other heritage in the Gaeltacht and in west Connemara.

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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I understand the importance of this road for the area. It is good for the region, for tourism and for the people who live in the area. The Deputy will understand that I have obligations, under EU law, around nature conservation. I have to try to balance these in order to contribute to a positive outcome for the region. My officials have been working with the local authority to progress the matter and will continue to do so. They are available to meet interested parties. The Deputy requested that and I give a commitment that my officials with meet him. I trust Friday will suit and, if it does, that can certainly happen. There is no reason they will not meet the Deputy. Is it this Friday that my ministerial colleague has that meeting?

Seán Kyne (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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Yes.

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Absolutely, that can happen. I will come back to the Deputy on this through the Minister of State, Deputy Kyne, and they can arrange that meeting.

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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I welcome the Minister's commitment to consider Friday for such a meeting. It would be very convenient for everybody to once and for all get around the table and resolve this issue. Environmental heritage is important and nobody doubts it, but the road from Maam Cross to Recess was widened many years ago and a railway line was built through Connemara. Despite that we still have this fantastic ecology that the Minister is preserving. It seems disproportionate that after four years of negotiations between the Minister and the county council, we cannot resolve what we need to do. The project is not the building of a new road but the widening of the existing dirt track into a road. Many people in Connemara are tempted to put up big signs with the words "horses and carts from here on in" along the route. It is ridiculous and I ask the Minister to organise a meeting for Friday. This is now a matter of crucial importance. The Minister of State will be able to brief the Minister on how offended are all of the preservers of the environment of Connemara who live there at the top-down attitude being taken by officialdom here and in Brussels towards their heritage.

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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I understand the Deputy's concerns but he will understand there is balance to be struck here. It is about trying to work towards a solution and striking the right balance. The European Commission has written to me on this project indicating a particular concern with respect to the pearl mussel and we cannot ignore that. This is all part of the habitats directive. My officials are prepared to meet the Deputy. I give a commitment that they will meet him on Friday and they will work with the local authority to find a resolution. I understand the Deputy's frustration about this.