John O'Mahony (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Cathaoirleach for selecting this matter and the Minister of State for his attendance. I request that the decommissioned Naval Service vessel LE Aislingbe donated to the people of Galway for use as a floating museum moored at either Galway Docks or Salthill. To set out some of the background to this matter, in September 1996, Galway Corporation, which is now Galway City Council, formally adopted the LE Aisling on behalf of the people of Galway and resolved to develop a special relationship with the ship and its crew and to promote awareness of the role and functions of the Naval Service. In accepting the adoption, the captain and crew of the LE Aislingundertook to nurture a special relationship with the city of Galway. The city's coat of arms is displayed proudly on the insignia of the ship and it has been a continual source of pride for Galwegians to see that insignia and the ship itself when the LE Aislinghas moored at Galway Docks.

Following the decommissioning of the ship, at which the Minister of State presided two weeks ago, Councillor Pearse Flannery of Galway City Council proposed on Monday last that the decommissioned ship would be donated to the city of Galway and received the unanimous backing of all councillors. The proposal has the complete support of the Galway city manager, the heritage officer, the business community, the chamber of commerce and the Galway Harbour Company board, which is willing to berth the ship free of charge on behalf of the people of Galway. All the stakeholders are in unison on this and I understand that a formal request was to be made to the Minister of State following the meeting on Monday night. In view of the support from all of the stakeholders with connections to the city, I request that the application be considered favourably. Galway is currently in contention for European city of culture 2020 and I understand the judges will be in the city in the next week or so. This project could very much be a centrepiece in that process.

The LE Aislingpatrol vessel was commissioned in 1980 and decommissioned a couple of weeks ago. Its name was derived from the aisling poem to commemorate the centenary of the birth of Pádraig Pearse. How appropriate it would be in 2016 to donate the vessel to the people of Galway. I formally propose that to the Minister of State.