Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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765. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the reason there is no monitoring committee for each island to monitor the quality of the freight and passenger services to the islands; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31934/18]

Joe McHugh (Donegal, Fine Gael)
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My officials have regular contact with island representatives, are available to listen to island community concerns and also meet with representatives of island communities through various fora, including Comhdháil Oileáin na hÉireann/The Irish Islands Federation.  I am satisfied that the level of contact between my Department and island communities is strong.  However, I also recognise that this can be enhanced and I will  be seeking to achieve this in the period ahead, taking account of available resources.

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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766. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her plans for the airstrips at Cluain Leacht and Abba, An Cloigeann, Contae na Gaillimhe, and on Inishbofin following on from the public consultation that took place; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31935/18]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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767. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the reason the airstrips at Cluain Leacht an Abba, Cloigeann and Inishbofin are not open for private aircraft to use; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31936/18]

Joe McHugh (Donegal, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 766 and 767 together.

As referred to by the Deputy, my Department undertook a public consultation process in 2017 whereby it sought submissions from interested parties in relation to the future use of airstrips and surrounding sites in the ownership of the Department on Inishbofin and at Cleggan, County Galway.  A large number of submissions were received and these have been reviewed by my Department.  My Department has also received specific requests in relation to the sites, including from the HSE and the Irish Coast Guard and these are being considered in the context of the review of submissions.  It is my intention to make a decision in regard to the sites in due course, having regard to the submissions received, the current status of the sites and the original purpose for which they were developed.

With regard to use of the airstrips for private aircraft, I would remind the Deputy that the landing strips are not open or licensed for use by the Irish Aviation Authority at present. Therefore, landing aircraft on the airstrips is prohibited.