Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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38. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the engagement her Department has had with Galway County Council to date in 2022 with regard to addressing the issue of sandbanks at Céibh an Chóra on Inis Meáin, which hinder the freight service to the island; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27788/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy is aware, Galway County Council is the responsible authority for the maintenance and development of pier infrastructure on the Aran islands. My Department is aware of this issue regarding the sandbank, which can hinder freight services to the island.

Officials from my Department meet on a regular basis with Galway County Council to discuss issues relating to the pier infrastructure on the Aran Islands. The sandbank issue has been raised and was discussed at the most recent meeting held on Tuesday last, 24 May.

Galway County Council advised my Department that a Foreshore Licence pre-Application was submitted on 12 April 2022 and they are scheduled to meet with the Foreshore Unit on 30 June to discuss an application for a dredging licence at the site. 

My Department will continue to monitor the service and is working closely with all stakeholders to minimise any disruptions to the scheduled timetable.