Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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52. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development further to Parliamentary Question No. 99 of 30 January 2024 for a status update on the development of Inis Oírr pier; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10400/24]

Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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I am staying with the theme of the islands. The Minister can see why with the delay in all of these projects. Baineann mo cheist le hInis Oírr. Go háirid, tá mé ag iarraidh fáil amach cén dul chun cinn atá déanta ó thaobh na céibhe de ansin agus an obair atá geallta. Where are we in terms of the update on the Inis Óirr pier? This started 20 years ago. Perhaps the Minister will break the spell.

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Galway County Council is the responsible authority for the maintenance and development of pier infrastructure on the Aran Islands.

In July 2023, I gave approval to Galway County Council to issue a request for tender for the development of the Inis Oírr pier. Galway County Council is the contracting authority and is therefore responsible for all aspects of the procurement process.

A steering committee consisting of representatives from my Department and Galway County Council meets on a regular basis, with the most recent meeting taking place on 20 February, to monitor progress on the development of the piers on Inis Oírr and Inis Meáin. Both projects are included in the national development plan. I understand that a two-stage tender process is currently under way and that Galway County Council has completed the evaluation of the tenders received for stage one.

I am advised that documents for stage two of the tender process are due to be published within the next fortnight. This second stage is limited to the successful tenderers from stage one and gives them an additional period of time to prepare detailed proposals in response to the tender documents.

Galway County Council will then evaluate the responses to identify a preferred bidder. Subject to the successful completion of this procurement process, it is expected that a contractor will be appointed later this year. I can assure the Deputy that I am determined that we maintain the momentum to get this project underway and completed.

Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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I appreciate the Minister has given me a date for later this year but in the context of 20 years, I am still a little sceptical so I will be coming back repeatedly for the rest of the year. Has the Minister any clarification on the foreshore licence? I think there was a need for a foreshore licence. Where is that at? At the risk of boring the Minister, all I can keep repeating is that there is an urgent need for an islands policy. What is missing is an islands policy based on legislation. I should not have to be here with other colleagues tormenting whatever Minister is here to push for the most basic requirements so that people can live sustainably on islands. They have enough difficulties without a lack of basic infrastructure. The overtopping on the harbour is a matter of health and safety and it has been like that for a very long time.

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy has been on to me many times about this. We have spent a lot of time when it came to Inis Oírr. They carried out simulation exercises and they did that in Cork. It went on and on.

Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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That was Inis Meáin.

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Sorry, Inis Meáin. At least they are finished that.

Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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That is another question that I have down

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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It seems to take an awfully long time to anything with islands. I will be straight with the Deputy. I would like to see it move a bit quicker. At least now stage one of the tender is over. We are at the second stage. Galway County Council has completed the evaluation. Now it will ask for the more detailed tenders to come in. That will take up to four months to assess. I will keep the pressure on. I know the Deputy will keep the pressure on me and she is right to do that because I will keep the pressure on others and we might get this moved on. It is going on a long time and I absolutely accept that.

Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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A monitoring committee has been set up. Is the Minister getting feedback on that? Is she aware of what was discussed on 20 February? Are they keeping the Minister up to speed about any difficulties that might be arising? The Minister is saying it will take four months to assess. I appreciate that. There is a clear deadline now – it is approximately four months. A contractor will be employed this year for Inis Oírr. Inis Meáin is further down the list in relation to the Caladh Mór. They are absolutely frustrated that it is going on so long and we have not reached stage three.

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The officials from my Department and Galway County Council meet on a monthly basis. The last meeting was on 20 February. I get updates, particularly when I have parliamentary questions. I will continue to maintain the pressure to make sure we move this on but Galway County Council has a role here as well. It needs to keep the momentum going too.