Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 November 2023
23. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development further to Parliamentary Question No. 62 of 26 September 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; if the minutes taken in respect of the meetings are published; the date of the next meeting; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49664/23]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, responsibility for the development of piers on Inis Meáin and Inis Oírr rests with Galway County Council. My Department provides funding to local authorities to undertake upgrade and development of piers serving our islands through both the National Development Plan for major capital projects and through my Department's islands budget for minor infrastructure works.
Officials from my Department meet regularly with members of Galway County Council to monitor progress of the development of the piers on Inis Oírr and Inis Meáin.
So far in 2023, a total of 17 meetings have been held, typically every fortnight. Minutes of each meeting are kept for internal use but not published due to the nature of the meetings. I understand the last meeting was held on Tuesday 31 October with the next meeting scheduled today, 14 November.
It should be noted that substantial progress has been made in the development of these projects recently.
In July of this year 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 and expect that we will be in a position to appoint a contractor in the first half of 2024.
With regards to Inis Meáin, it is my understanding that officials from Galway County Council are preparing the necessary documents to appoint consultants to assist in preparing a Preliminary Business Case. This is required under the Public Spending Code in order to look at all possible options for providing safe harbour facilities on Inis Meáin.
I can assure the Deputy that I am determined that we maintain the momentum to get these project underway and completed.
