Vol. 561 No. 4
467 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the position with regard to Inishbiggle cablecar; if the dispute between the local family and the county council has been resolved; the position with regard to it now; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4609/03]
In July 2000 I approved a grant of €1.84 million to Mayo County Council for the provision of a cablecar and associated services between Inishbiggle and the mainland at Bullsmouth. This grant was based on a total estimated construction cost of €2.03 million with the council to provide the balance of €0.19 million.
It was hoped that construction of the cablecar would have commenced in 2002 and that the service would be fully operational by the spring of this year. A delay has occurred as a result of an objection lodged with An Bord Pleanála last year against one of the compulsory purchase orders in respect of the land required for the project. While An Bord Pleanála subsequently confirmed the said CPOs, this decision is currently the subject of a judicial review which is listed to be heard in the High Court on 31 March. Efforts to resolve this issue by solicitors representing the local family and the council have proved unsuccessful to date. The Deputy will appreciate that the project cannot be progressed any further pending resolution of this issue.
