Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

319. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development further to Parliamentary Question No. 128 of 27 October 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. [62566/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

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.

I understand that Galway County Council intend to publish a CPO notice and schedule in the coming days, which should expedite the process. The timeline for the next steps will be determined subject to completion of the CPO process.

In the meantime, Galway County Council has recently adopted new bye-laws, which have come into effect for the duration of the pier’s development, and hopes to recruit a harbour master in the coming months.

Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

320. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development further to Parliamentary Question No. 108 of 27 October 2022, if she will provide an update on the development of Caladh Mór pier on Inis Meáin; if her Department has received the draft business case to-date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [62567/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

As the Deputy is aware, Galway County Council is the responsible authority for the maintenance and development of pier infrastructure on the Aran Islands.

Galway County Council is responsible for the development of stage 3 of Caladh Mór Pier on Inis Meáin, which is included in the National Development Plan.

Officials from my Department meet with members of Galway County Council on a regular basis to receive updates on the progress of the development.

As part of the preparatory works, the National Maritime College of Ireland (NMCI) was requested by Galway County Council to develop a model simulation for the harbour. This has been completed, and a full demonstration took place in mid-September, with the skippers of the key relevant vessels in attendance.

That data has now been compiled, along with the feedback received from the vessel operators who participated. It is my understanding that Galway County Council will soon start preparing a draft business case, based on the findings and data from the model simulation, to be presented to officials from my department.

Following on from this, my Department will be in a position to evaluate the next steps in the process.