Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 27 Nov 2003

Vol. 575 No. 5

Written Answers. - Grant Payments.

Pádraic McCormack

Question:

24 Mr. McCormack asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if the Book of Estimates 2004 contains a provision for the erection of a cable car to the island of Inishbiggle as promised for four years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28630/03]

Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs (Éamon Ó Cuív)

In July 2000, I approved a grant of €1.84 million to Mayo County Council for the provision of a cable car 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 Mayo County Council to provide the balance of €190,000.

It was hoped that construction of the cable car would have commenced in 2002 and that the service would be fully operational by the spring of this year. However, a delay was incurred as a result of an objection lodged with An Bord Pleanála against one of the compulsory purchase orders in respect of the land required for the project. While An Bord Pleanála subsequently confirmed the said compulsory purchase orders, this decision was the subject of an application for a High Court judicial review earlier this year.

A settlement between Mayo County Council and the applicants led to the withdrawal of the application for a judicial review. Mayo County Council subsequently sought my approval to proceed with the acquisition of land and to prepare contract documents for the project. This application is currently being examined by my officials in the context of the funding available for island development in the 2004 Estimates and the various other demands on that funding.