Mairead Farrell (Galway West, Sinn Fein)
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76. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if her attention has been drawn to the fact that the full foreshore application for Inis Oírr pier has not been lodged and may be delayed further for another 12 months, given that Galway County Council must undertake updates to the original environment study in order to comply with European Union legislation before the application can be lodged; her views on whether the funding set aside for the pier will cover the necessary work given the increase in building costs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18035/22]

Mairead Farrell (Galway West, Sinn Fein)
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Tá imní ar mhuintir Inis Oírr nach bhfuil an iarratas iomlán do cheadúnas imeall trá curtha isteach go fóill agus go mbeidh moill eile do bhliain eile leis mar gheall go gcaithfear, de réir rialacháin an Aontas Eorpaigh, an staidéar timpeallachta a thabhairt suas chun dáta. An feidir leis an Aire a dheimhniú go gclúdóidh an maoiniú na costaisí ó tharla go bhfuil ardú tagtha ar phraghsanna? I know the Minister has an interest in the question but I am aware of timing.

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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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.

Mairead Farrell (Galway West, Sinn Fein)
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Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire. That is something the people of Inis Oírr will be glad to hear. It has been great the Minister has taken this project very seriously, as it deserves to be. It is interesting to hear of the gap analysis study the Minister expects to be completed by early May because the people of the island were in contact with me and were concerned the analysis could take another year. It is welcome to hear the Minister saying the money should be there.

Tá sé go maith a chloisteáil go gceapann an tAire go mbeidh an staidéar sin déanta i mí Bealtaine agus go mbeidh an t-airgead ar fáil. Braitheann sé ar an gcostas agus níl an costas iomlán againn go fóill.

That is welcome. One of the questions people from the island will have concerns how long the Minister expects the entire process to take. That is for the gap analysis study and the environmental assessment to be done and the foreshore licence application to be put in fully. I know these things take years but will the Minister respond in relation to that?

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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These things take a long time. I wish they could be done sooner. I have been on Inis Oírr, visited the island and know the problems the residents highlighted to me. We want to try to sort them out. We have to do the environmental study. The foreshore licence and environmental studies are the sort of things required for this type of project. My Department is meeting fortnightly with Galway County Council to make sure we can progress these issues. If there is anything we can do to move it on, we will. The foreshore licence rests with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. We continue to focus on it to make sure we get this moved on as quickly as we can. I have outlined the current situation.

Mairead Farrell (Galway West, Sinn Fein)
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The Minister has outlined clearly the situation and the people of the island will be glad to hear that. The issue, as the Minister knows, is the whole health and safety aspect, and they are really concerned about that. We have seen with storms in the past how badly it is impacted. That has an impact on the community in terms of being able to come to or leave the island, and there is a real-life health and safety impact. People from the island are wondering if, given the health and safety element, there is a way to fast-track it. I know the Minister is meeting with Galway County Council regularly and that is welcome but that is a question they have put to me.

Tá sé go maith go bhfuil na freagraí sách soiléir agus go mbeidh an t-eolas sin ar fáil do mhuintir na hoileáin ach tá a fhios agam go bhfuil siad an-bhuartha mar gheall ar chúrsaí sláinte agus sábháilteachta. An féidir fast-tracking a dhéanamh ar bhonn na cúrsaí sin?

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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I am aware of the safety concerns relating to the pier, particularly during the summertime, when the number of people using it increases. The day-to-day maintenance of piers, including the development and enforcement of the by-laws, is primarily an issue for the relevant local authority, in this case Galway County Council. Officials have been in contact with our colleagues on that council with a view to ensuring the pier is safe for users, particularly during the construction phase. To ensure the safety of the public, Galway County Council has recently published draft by-laws for the management of the pier and is collating submissions received from the public. I understand the council also hopes to employ a harbour master at the pier to manage traffic to the pier and ensure everyone's safety, particularly during the high volume months of summer.