Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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97. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development further to Parliamentary Question No. 30 of 14 November 2023, the status of the monitoring committee for the implementation of the new policy for the islands; the terms of reference of the committee; the membership of the committee; the number of meetings held to-date and the dates of same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3980/24]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware, Our Living Islands - the National Island Policy 2023-2033 was launched in June of last year. Our Living Islandsis a substantial document – a ten-year policy backed up by rolling three year action plans. It has time-bound commitments so that Departments and agencies across Government can be held to account.

A coordinated and cohesive approach across a range of Government Departments will be required for the implementation of the policy, which is underpinned by the principle of the full engagement by island communities in the process.

In that regard, I approved the establishment of the Monitoring Committee, chaired by my Department, to engage with key Government Departments, agencies and local authorities in relation to progress on implementation and to report to me.

The inaugural meeting of the Monitoring Committee took place on 7 December 2023, and the next meeting has been provisionally scheduled for 6 March 2024.

The terms of reference and membership of the Monitoring Committee have been published on the Our Living Islands webpage on gov.ie and reflect the Government commitment to ensuring that island communities are key participants in the process.

There are representatives of island communities on the committee from counties Donegal, Mayo, Galway and Cork, nominated by Comhdháil Oileáin na hÉireann, along with a representative of Comhar na nOileán. The committee also includes representatives of both the Rural and Community divisions of my own Department, along with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, the HSE, Údarás na Gaeltachta and the City and County Managers Association on behalf of Local Authorities, all of which have key roles in the delivery of the policy and action plan.

Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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99. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development further to Parliamentary Question No. 23 of 14 November 2023, for an update on the work of the steering committee tasked with monitoring progress on the development of the piers on Inis Oírr and Inis Meáin; the date of the next meeting; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3981/24]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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106. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the progress made to date with the development of the pier in Inis Meáin, which is urgently needed, following the study carried out by the Marine College in Cork; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3955/24]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 99 and 106 together.

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 and Galway County Council meets on a regular basis and is due to meet again on Tuesday 20th February to monitor progress on the development of the piers on Inis Oírr and Inis Meáin. Both projects are included in the National Development Plan and are at different stages of progress.

In July 2023 I gave approval to Galway County Council to issue a request for tender for the development of the Inis Oírr pier. Galway County Council is the contracting authority and is therefore responsible for all aspects of the procurement process. I understand that a two-stage tender process is currently underway. Galway County Council is currently evaluating the tenders received for stage one and is preparing to publish the documents for stage two. Subject to the successful completion of this procurement process, it is expected that a contractor will be appointed later this year.

I can assure the Deputy that I am determined that we maintain the momentum to get this project underway and completed.

With regards to Inis Meáin, it is my understanding that officials from Galway County Council have drafted the necessary documents to appoint a consultant to assist in preparing a Preliminary Business Case. These draft documents take account of the study carried out by the National Maritime College in Cork and are currently being reviewed to ensure compliance with the Public Spending Code in order to look at all viable options for providing safe harbour facilities on Inis Meáin.

My Department and Galway County Council agree that there will be clear engagement with island representatives and the independent consultant to be appointed, ensuring that the entire community has input into the process.

My Department will continue to engage with the local authority to ensure the process is progressed without delay and a consultant appointed as quickly as possible.