Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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128. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development further to Parliamentary Question No. 103 of 15 September 2022, if she will provide an update on the development of the pier on Inis Oírr; the expected timeline for the updating of the environmental reports to the standard required; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53793/22]

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. A steering committee consisting of representatives from my Department, Galway County Council and the consulting engineers meets regularly to monitor progress.

Earlier this year, Galway County Council sought quotations from environmental consultancies to carry out a Gap Analysis Study. This was to review the environmental information available and to compile recommendations for the extent of further studies required which would form a part of the supporting materials for the Foreshore Licence.

The Gap Analysis study has been completed and submitted to my Department. The consulting engineers are compiling a list of required works that will need to be undertaken to update the environmental reports to the standard required.

Additionally, Galway County Council is in regular contact with the Foreshore Unit of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, which has agreed to assist the local authority with mapping the area where the licence will apply.

I understand that a meeting was held recently between officials from Galway County Council and the local community in Inis Oírr to discuss matters related to work on the pier, including traffic management, trading and new by-laws, which were recently adopted and have come into effect for the duration of the pier’s development.

My Department will continue to engage with the local authority to monitor progress of the development.