Bertie Ahern
Question:6 Mr. B. Ahern asked the Taoiseach if the co-ordinating committee on islands has examined the feasibility of connecting certain islands by means of cable car, where there is a demand. [7646/96]
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Access to Offshore Islands.
The report of the Interdepartmental Committee on Island Development sets out new mechanisms to deal with the key issue of access services to the offshore island in a strategic and integrated way.
Under these proposals, the relevant local authority islands committees, in consultation with islanders and Comhdháil Oileáin na hÉireann, will prepare a programme of works for bringing the level of access services to the offshore islands up to a socially desirable minimum standard. The proposals will reflect the priority needs of the islands concerned.
These submissions from the relevant local authorities will form the basis on which funding will be allocated in 1996 by the Interdepartmental Co-ordinating Committee on Island Development.
Funds will be allocated on the basis of need and the quality of proposals submitted. Individual projects will be assessed not only on their own merit but in the context of the overall strategy for islands as set out in the report. The feasibility of connecting certain islands by means of cable car, where there is a demand will be considered, along with all other options, as part of this integrated and strategic approach.
Would the Minister of State agree that a cable car is a possible solution where the distance between the island and mainland is short as this would lower the risk involved in small craft sea crossing and might be the best solution for some of the islands such as Inish Biggle? Will he consider implementing that proposal? Judging from what the Minister of State said, we could wait at least another 15 years before we get to the conclusion of all of those reports.
I am aware that one cable car proposal is being considered by the newly formed island co-operative and its development officer has investigated other processes. If this proposal is put to Mayo County Council's island committee, I am quite certain it will get the priority it deserves and the service may well be established in 1996-97. As long as it meets the criteria set out in my reply and if the money is available it will be done.
A proposed cable car to Inish Biggle Island was previously investigated by Mayo County Council. The council engineer who investigated the proposal suggested more cost effective methods. That is not to say, however, that the current proposal will not be examined thoroughly and given due consideration. I agree with Deputy Bertie Ahern that a cable car crossing would avoid the dangers associated with sea crossings.
If the proposal complies with the criteria he outlined in his reply will the Minister of State and his Department support the proposal for Inish Biggle?
Yes, but in the first instance it depends on the Mayo County Council islands committee making that recommendation.
Is it Government policy to extend the air service to islands with a substantial local population where an airstrip can be built such as Inishbofin, off the Galway coast, Turk Island off the Mayo coast and other islands off the Donegal coast?
I am sure the Minister had occasion recently to see the benefit of the air service to the Aran Islands which has operated during the past 20 years but has not been extended to the other populated islands.
The island committees will meet and each island committee will draw up its proposals.
I have met officials from Aer Aran who have drawn up proposals for the other islands which will be considered by the contiguous islands committee. In the case of the islands referred to by Deputy Molloy, Galway County Council islands committee and Mayo County Council islands committee will consider the proposal in the first instance.
I am impressed by the quality of Aer Aran's service to offshore islands and I am quite sure that if it is possible to include it in the new access plans, it will be done.