Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

79. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if the final business case for the redevelopment of Inis Oírr pier has now been received; and when approval will be granted to proceed with the project. [14535/25]

Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Baineann mo cheist le hInis Oírr, an chéibh atá ansin agus an fhorbairt atá beartaithe di. De réir mo thuisceana, tá dul chun cinn déanta, ach ba mhaith liom é sin a chinntiú ar an taifead, mar fuair an fhorbairt seo cead pleanála in 2008 agus tá sé ardaithe go mion minic agam ó toghadh mé ar dtús in 2016. An féidir leis an Aire an dul chun cinn a shoiléiriú dom agus é a chur ar thaifead na Dála?

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Mar is eol don Teachta, is le Comhairle Chontae na Gaillimhe an t-údarás maidir le cúrsaí forbartha na gcalaí ar na hOileáin Árann, Inis Oírr ina measc. As the Deputy knows, there are regular meetings between officials from my Department and Galway County Council to discuss and monitor pier development on the islands. The last meeting was held on Wednesday, 12 March, and the next meeting is scheduled for 8 April.

With regard to the development of Inis Oírr Pier, Galway County Council is the contracting authority. It is responsible for all aspects of procurement. I understand that Galway County Council has formally completed the assessment and evaluation of all tender responses and a successful tenderer has been identified. Earlier this week, Galway County Council submitted the final business case to my Department, seeking approval to proceed with the project. This represents decision gate 3 as set out in the Government's infrastructure guidelines. The final case, which was received on Monday of this week, is now being reviewed by my Department. It will be checked for completeness in terms of the required elements, such as the overall cost and affordability of the proposal, and the benefits and risks associated with it.

I know the Deputy has worked very hard on this and she will appreciate that this is a significant project, ní hamháin le haghaidh mhuintir Inis Oírr ach le haghaidh mo Roinne freisin. Caithfimid a bheith láidir sa tuiscint go bhfuil gach rud ceart agus cóir. Therefore, we need to be satisfied that the final business case meets the required standard. I have asked my Department to complete the review with care and attention and bring a recommendation to me as quickly as possible. I will keep the Deputy totally informed on this.

Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Tuigim an fhreagracht atá ar an Roinn, agus ní mór don Roinn an jab a dhéanamh i gceart, ach táimid ag dul siar píosa fada go 2008. D'fhógair Tuairisc go raibh dul chun cinn iontach déanta. The Minister is now telling me that it is before his Department for a final decision. I understand from the very positive article in Tuairisc that a time has been set out for the work to start and to be completed. I understand that work is now to be completed in 2027 at the latest. There are conditions relating to the innealtóirí, the engineers, having Irish and so on and staying on the island. Is the Minister aware of that detail? An féidir leis tuilleadh sonraí a thabhairt dom ó thaobh an chonartha de? Cén uair a bheidh an obair ag tosú? Cén uair a bheidh sé críochnaithe? Céard iad na coinníollacha?

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Níl na sonraí sin agam inniu, ach déarfaidh mé léi má tá siad ann. Ní cheapaim go bhfuil siad ann ag an bpointe seo, mar nílimid ach ag dul go dtí an tender stage. Beidh sé sin mar chuid den tender. Ach táim ag iarraidh go mbeidh-----

Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Maybe there is a mix-up between the islands. I understood there was a positive announcement for Inis Oírr and the extension of the pier.

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Are we talking about Inis Oírr?

Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Inis Oírr.

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Tá sé agam anseo go bhfuaireamar the tender report on Monday. Ní fhaca mé céard a leagadh amach ar Tuairisc, ach táimid ag iarraidh é seo a dhéanamh chomh luath agus is féidir. Dúirt mé le hoifigigh mo Roinne, nuair a phléifear an cheist seo, go gcaithfear é a dhéanamh go cúramach ach go sciobtha mar táimid ag fanacht chomh fada chun é a dhéanamh. Tiocfaidh mé ar ais chuig an Teachta leis na sonraí sin. Ceapaim go mbeidh na sonraí cosúil leis sin mar chuid den chonradh idir-----

Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Bheadh sé tábhachtach soiléiriú a thabhairt dom.

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Gan dabht. Tá sé tábhachtach go mbeidh Gaeilge ag aon duine atá ag obair ar an togra seo agus go mbeidh siad ag fanacht ar an oileán.

Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Táim sásta leis sin. Tiocfaidh an tAire ar ais chugam.