Pádraic McCormack (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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Question 595: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the steps he will take to ensure that motorists on Inis Mór, Aran Islands have a regular supply of petrol; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the only petrol station on Inis Mór closed in September 2005 with very little notice; the situation regarding the provision of a public petrol station on Inis Mór; the grants available for such a venture; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11309/08]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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I am aware of the closure of the petrol station on Árainn (Inis Mór). The current situation is that the carriage of petrol to the island is provided by the cargo ferry operator that is subsidised by my Department. The distribution of petrol on the island is more problematic, however, due to stringent health and safety regulations governing the carriage and distribution of such goods.

The Deputy will appreciate that my Department has no direct role in relation to the distribution of petrol. However, my officials have held a number of meetings with the island cooperative, Comharchumann Forbartha Árann Teo, and relevant State agencies in an effort to facilitate the safe distribution of petrol on the island. Furthermore, my Department has indicated that it would be willing to consider an application to assist the development of a suitable distribution facility for the island community. To date, no such application has been received.