Éamon Ó Cuív
Question:3 Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Taoiseach whether it is intended to proceed with the dredging of Inishbofin harbour in 1997; the amount of money allocated to this work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11392/97]
Ceisteanna—Questions. - Harbour Works.
Éamon Ó Cuív
Question:4 Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Taoiseach the moneys that have been provided in 1997 towards the improvement and development of Cleggan Pier, County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11393/97]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 3 and 4 together.
The islands committee of Galway County Council prepared a list of priority projects to improve access services to the islands. The priority list included a feasibility study on necessary improvement works to Cleggan Pier, County Galway, and a feasibility study in respect of dredging necessary to improve access to the harbour on Inishbofin Island.
Both these projects were recommended by the interdepartmental co-ordinating committee and I approved grants of £20,000 towards the cost of each project. The overall object of both projects is to identify and cost the works required to improve access and safety at Cleggan Pier and Inishbofin harbour. I have not yet received the studies.
Does the Minister intend to proceed with the work as soon as he receives these studies? Could he clarify if the funding of such marine works is the responsibility of the Department of the Taoiseach or the Department of the Marine?
Since I was appointed Minister of State I have endeavoured to treat all the islands equally by providing additional access to them. I have assisted in funding the Bear Island project at Pontoon Pier, which is a joint venture between the Department of the Taoiseach, Cork County Council and the community of Bear Island. This year I approved a project worth £328,000 on another non-Gaeltacht island, Whiddy Island, which is a joint venture between Cork County Council, the Department of the Taoiseach and the petroleum company that is using the island's services. This clearly illustrates that my Department is endeavouring to provide the non-Gaeltacht islands, which have been neglected since the foundation of the State, with additional access requirements.
A new pier was built on Inishbofin Island some time ago. However, the islanders suffered as a result of an overrun when the Deputy's party was in Government.
We should put this to music.
The then Minister for Finance, who is now the Leader of Fianna Fáil, had responsibility for the Office of Public Works and he decided that the pier did not need lights or a crane. Galway County Council, of which Deputy Ó Cuív is a member, has refused to lay the water at the new pier. If the islands committee of Galway County Council send these proposals to my Department for processing, I will endeavour to improve access services on Inishbof in Island and the other 21 islands.
I am grateful to the Minister for all the information I did not seek. However, he failed to answer the two questions I asked. When these studies are sent to the Minister, will he make money available to carry out the work on Cleggan Pier and to dredge Inishbofin harbour?Are such marine works the responsibility of the Department of the Taoiseach or the Department of the Marine?
Deputy Ó Cuív is a little behind the times on most things, particularly in relation to the islands.
That is not true.
He was a poll topper at the last election.
The interdepartmental report, which was commissioned by Deputy Andrews and which I successfully completed, recommended that additional money should be put aside for access services. If the problems on Inishbofin Island relate to access and a proposal is sent by Galway County Council to the interdepartmental committee, the money will be provided. Funds were allocated to the Bear Island project because Cork County Council was prepared to put its money where its mouth was. Donegal County Council was also prepared to do so. However, Galway County Council is reticent about investing in the offshore islands. The councillors do not seem to want to take the initiative.
I refer the Minister to a reply I received yesterday from the Minister for the Marine in relation to Cleggan harbour. He seems to think he is responsible for the harbour, as does the Minister of State, Deputy Carey. It seems that the Minister for the Marine and the Taoiseach are not aware that the other is looking after this matter. Which authoritative body will make the decision to provide funding for the development of Cleggan Pier and the dredging of Inishbofin harbour?
There is too much repetition.
Galway County Council does not have enough money for water schemes, roads, sewerage schemes, etc., so it is unable to provide matching finance for the islands. As the Minister is aware, finance for county councils is decided by central government.
I admire Deputy Ó Cuív for developing the successful co-op initiative in Connemara.He realises more than anyone that private funds must be invested. I do not know why Galway County Council cannot increase the rates to provide additional funds to help the islands. This would improve the tourism and fishing industries, about which Deputy Ó Cuív is concerned.When I talk about access, I talk about human access, not the access fishermen want to develop which is the responsibility of the Department of the Marine. There is a problem at the pier at Cleggan, County Galway, because of the growth in tourism to Inishbofin. There are huge numbers of people arriving at Cleggan pier and it is dangerous because the ferryboat is having difficulties.
Who is responsible? That is what I am trying to find out.
We asked that a feasibility study be undertaken with a view to improving the position for the ferryboat and the people using it at Cleggan pier and Inishbofin. That is my responsibility. The fishing industry side of it is the responsibility of the Department of the Marine and I am sure Deputy Ó Cuív can distinguish between the two. There is no need to confuse the people of Inishbofin or Cleggan about where the responsibility lies.
If the Galway county manager and the county councillors adjoining Inis Bofin and the Aran Islands make definite proposals for which they are prepared to provide council money, I will match it. How is it that Donegal County Council and Cork County Council can provide funds? Why are the councillors afraid to accept their responsibilities?
Will the Minister of State forward to my office documentation in which Galway County Council was asked by his Department to provide funds to match the £1 million transport access package he has outlined?
I have asked for a certain contribution to finance any of the proposals Galway County Council has put to us. I have never defined the rate, that is, whether it was to be matching funds, for example, as long as the county council makes a sacrifice but Galway County Council is not prepared to make a sacrifice.
As far as road improvements on the islands are concerned, there is an application from Donegal County Council for road improvements and the Minister for the Environment has given additional money to all of the county councils which have offshore islands. Donegal County Council is prepared to invest its money in order that the Government would provide money for Aranmore Island and Tory Island. Last week I was on Tory Island and announced a road grant of £42,000. The sum of £100,000 is being provided for Aranmore Island.
Substantial money will go to Inishbofin if Galway County Council is prepared to provide some of the investment but it is not prepared to do so. It is difficult to deal with a county council which is not prepared to make some sacrifice.
I compliment the Minister on his prompt response to the plans for the islands submitted by Donegal County Council. I assure the House and the Minister that the Celtic tiger has been spotted on every island off County Donegal because more money has gone into County Donegal in the past two years than in the previous 50. If there are further submissions from Coiste na nOileáin of Donegal County Council in respect of the two remaining islands, Gola Island and Inishbofin, County Donegal, will the Minister look favourably on them?
Certainly.
If Galway County Council comes up with matching funds, how much money is the Minister of State prepared to give?
If they are prepared to give a percentage——
That is not the question.
The Deputy had better follow up this some other time.
The Minister of State does not have the figure.
He does not have the money.