Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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42. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development further to Parliamentary Question No. 319 of 14 December 2022, if she will provide an update on the development of the pier on Inis Oírr; the status of the CPO process; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9085/23]

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 on the work being undertaken.

With regards to Inis Oírr, Galway County Council published the Compulsory Purchase Order for the land required for construction of the pier in December 2022 and submitted it to An Bord Pleanála. The last date for submissions in relation to this CPO was 13th February 2023.

As the most recent meeting of the steering committee, held earlier this week, Galway County Council advised my Department that no submissions had been received in the specified time period up to last week.

The decision of An Bord Pleanála in respect of the CPO would be expected by mid-April based on normal processing timelines, but this is subject to extension. In the absence of any objections, it is hoped that approval will be given to the confirmation of the CPO.

In the meantime, Galway County Council is currently finalising the documents for the construction tender with a view to their being ready for publication as soon as possible once the CPO is confirmed.