Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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84. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development further to Parliamentary Question No. 92 of 10 October 2024, the status of the development of Caladh Mór pier on Inis Meáin; whether the independent consultant has been appointed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14536/25]

Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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Táimid ar ais arís go dtí na hOileáin Árann agus an uair seo Inis Meáin agus An Caladh Mór. An cheist atá agam ná has the independent consultant been appointed and can the Minister give us details? I will use the 18 seconds to ensure there is no confusion between this question and the last question. It has clearly been reported they are about to start their work on the céibh in Inis Oírr in the autumn. The Minister might clarify that in due course if he can today, ar eagla na míthuisceana.

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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I will definitely come back to the Deputy later. It will not be before the end of this time but I will clarify that because I have had a number of conversations with officials around pier development while preparing for questions and I have asked for more information on all of them.

In relation to cúrsaí sa Chaladh Mór ar Inis Meáin, mar a dúirt mé leis an Teachta, is í Comhairle Chontae na Gaillimhe an t-údarás le haghaidh foirgnimh agus céanna ar na hOileáin Árann, Inis Meáin ina measc. I understand my Department gave approval to Galway County Council in December 2024 to proceed with the appointment of consultant engineers to develop the preliminary business case, incorporating a strategic assessment, for marine infrastructure improvement options on the island. Galway County Council confirmed to my Department at a meeting between officials, which was held on Wednesday, 12 March, that the independent consultant engineer has been appointed and has started work on the project. The assessment will examine all options that are available for improving the marine infrastructure on Inis Meáin, including piers for use by passenger and cargo ferry services.

I am advised the tender document explicitly included a series of requirements regarding public consultation and engagement with island representatives, ensuring that the entire community of Inis Meáin has input into this process. To that regard, Galway County Council held a public consultation day in Ionad Pobail Inis Meáin on 19 March to ensure all stakeholders and those living on the island were aware of the process being undertaken and were given the opportunity to express their views.

The consultants, together with representatives of Galway County Council, held meetings with various groups and business owners earlier that morning. The consultation was then open to all from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. to come in to discuss concerns or preferences for future infrastructure development. I understand the consultant engineers are due to complete their programme of work later this year. We will continue to engage with Galway County Council. I want this project to complete and progress as quickly as possible. I have asked for a report on the consultation day and the feedback that was received on that to be given to me as soon as possible.

Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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I thank the Minister. The previous Minister took a hands-on approach on this and I am sure this Minister will too because of the utter frustration at the delay. If my frustration is evident, the Minister can imagine what we are enduring on Inis Meáin with business there - a number of businesses - and with the people on the ground. This was to be completed years ago and we are still at it.

I welcome the fact there was a public meeting. That was on 19 March of this year just gone.

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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Yes.

Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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That is very welcome. The meetings that have taken place have been as a result of the previous Minister pushing the whole matter and taking a hands-on approach in relation to it.

For my understanding, is it the position that the consultants have been appointed and are doing a preliminary businesses case all over again regarding this project? When will that preliminary project be ready? You cannot imagine how many times I and colleagues from Galway West have stood up on the floor of this Dáil and then gone to meetings that are utterly frustrating because we do not know where we are going with it.

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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I know from discussing this with officials about the Deputy's interest in this and I know my predecessor, the then Minister, Heather Humphreys, drove this. Certainly, on the basis of discussions I have had, I am not happy it has taken so long and I intend to sit on it and drive it on as well.

The business case is expected to take around nine months. The work is under way but it is expected to take that time. There are a lot of complexities to this in relation to Caladh Mór agus an Céibh an Chóra. I am trying to get my head around all of those complexities as well. I can assure the Deputy I will work with her and work with colleagues of all parties there to ensure we progress this as quickly as possible and there are no further delays. I have asked for a report on the consultation day to be given to me as soon as possible in order that I can ensure the concerns that were expressed are captured within the business assessment process, they are not ignored and it was not just a box-ticking exercise. I absolutely agree with the Deputy. I cannot begin to imagine the frustration and anger of pobal Inis Meáin. Tá sé tábhachtach go bhfuil siad mar pháirt den fhreagra ar an bhfadhb seo.

Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire. Luaigh sé An Caladh Mór agus Céibh an Chóra, agus tá an ceart aige, ach ní thuigim cad atá tarlaithe. Tá a fhios agam go bhfuil castacht i gceist. Tá a fhios agam é sin agus ní saineolaí mé ach táimid ag dul timpeall i gciorcal an t-am uilig agus ar ais arís anois go dtí an tús agus an preliminary business case. Ar a laghad tá sé ráite ag an Aire anois gur naoi mhí atá i gceist. Nine months - a woman cannot hear the words nine months but we think of a pregnancy. Hopefully, at the end of the nine months there will be a delivery of something substantial in relation to this.

What is the further plan after the preliminary case is ready in nine months' time? I welcome the fact the Minister is going to take a hands-on approach. I do not look forward to the next meeting with muintir Inis Meáin agus an lucht gnó ansin. Tá siadsan thar a bheith corraithe ó thaobh an easpa dul chun cinn.

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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I do intend to go to Inis Meáin at some stage to see for myself, not just on the pier issue but on all island issues. The Minister of State, Deputy Buttimer, and I will be working collectively as regards the islands. I understand a number of marine assessments and studies have been undertaken on the island over the past few years, including bathymetric surveys and a marine simulation exercise. The bathymetric surveys were carried out on both Céibh an Chóra agus an Caladh Mór. They were provided to the consultant engineers as part of their work. Also, they have been provided with the study that was carried out by the National Maritime College, Cork, as regards the marine simulation exercise. That simulated the type of vessel that will be used for passenger and cargo ferry services to the island. That data has been provided and will be given to determine the viable options to provide the most important thing, which is safe and accessible harbour facilities. I know the Deputy will be tabling this question every month and we will keep actively engaged on it in between Question Time as well.