Seanad Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 27 Feb 2013

Vol. 221 No. 8

Adjournment Matters

Court Judgments

Senator John Kelly

I would like to know the reason the Fines Act 2010 has not been implemented. It is good legislation which provides for the payment of fines by instalment, the appointment of a receiver in respect of default of payment of fines, the imposition of a community service order in respect of a person who fails to pay a fine, and publication of a list of defaulters, and which gives recognition to the fact that some people may not have the capacity to pay a fine.

The Fines (Amendment) Bill 2012 has been published. It, too, is good legislation which provides for the imposition of an attachment on the wages of a person who refuses to pay a fine, for data sharing between the Revenue Commissioners and Department of Social Protection, and for deductions from social welfare payments, on a weekly basis for 12 months, in respect of a person in receipt of such payment who refuses to pay a fine.

It is important this legislation is implemented for the following reason. Last week, I was told by litter warden that a fine had been issued to a man who had a trailer load of domestic refuse at the front of his house which he had been directed to take to a landfill and to obtain a receipt showing it had been dumped legally. Three weeks later he told them he had no intention of doing so and had been told by a solicitor the consequence in this regard would be only two days imprisonment. He also said that last year he had failed to pay €1,500 in motoring offence fines, in respect of which he was sent to Castlerea Prison for five hours. He boasted to the engineer from the council that the biggest inconvenience in this regard was his having to hitch a lift home from the prison.

The failure to implement and enact legislation under which we can ensure fines are paid is resulting in a loss of revenue and additional costs in terms of court appearances and keeping a person in prison. If this legislation were enacted and implemented, people would know they would ultimately have to pay fines, with fewer fines issuing as a result.

Minister of State at the Department of Justice and Equality (Deputy Kathleen Lynch)

I am taking this matter on behalf of the Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Shatter, who is unable to be here owing to other commitments. I thank Senator Kelly for raising this important issue.

The Minister welcomes the opportunity to clarify the current position on the Fines Act 2010. The Act covers a number of issues. Part 2 of the Act provides for the indexation of fines and those provisions were commenced on 4 January 2011. Part 3, which is the focus of the Senator's question, provides for a reformed system for the payment and recovery of fines. Section 14 of the Act provides that a judge must take the financial circumstances of the person into account when he or she is fixing a fine. This important section, which is intended to ensure that in so far as possible the fine imposed is proportionate to a person's financial means, was also commenced in January 2011. The remaining sections of the Act have not yet been commenced. As the Senator knows, the programme for Government includes a commitment to provide for the recovery of fines by attachment of earnings. In the course of the preparation of the legislative scheme to provide for attachment of earnings, it became clear to the Minister that the architecture of the fines payment and recovery system, provided for in the 2010 Act, would need to be substantially amended if attachment was to operate efficiently and effectively. To that end, he examined all the aspects of the payment and recovery provisions of the 2010 Act and prepared the scheme of a fines (amendment) Bill which was approved for drafting by the Government last October. The first reform contained in the scheme relates to payment of fines by instalments. Under the 2010 Act, people had to apply to, and convince the court, that their financial situation was such that they should be allowed to pay a fine by instalments. The new Bill will instead provide an automatic right to pay a fine by instalments to everyone on whom a fine is imposed.

The next reform concerns the recovery of assets to pay a fine. Under the 2010 Act, a recovery order appointing a receiver to collect the fine, including by the sale of the assets of the defaulter, was to be imposed in all cases where a person failed to pay a fine. Rather than having receivers appointed in all cases, including those where the person has no assets to recover, the Minister decided that recovery will become one of a number of options available to the court where a person fails to pay a fine in full by the due date. The other options being attachment of earnings, which I mentioned earlier, and community service, which is already provided for in the 2010 Act. The Minister is confident the introduction of attachment of earnings, together with receivership, community service and the reforms mentioned earlier, will all but eliminate the need to send anyone to prison for the non-payment of fines.

The Minister is anxious to have the fines (amendment) Bill published and enacted as soon as possible and I can assure the Senator that, in the meantime, the Courts Service is proceeding to put in place the necessary ICT systems to support the new regime. I thank Senator Kelly for raising this important issue and hope that he can agree that the new Bill, when enacted, will achieve our shared objective of ensuring the fines imposed by the courts are collected to the greatest extent possible and that where, for whatever reason, a person fails to pay a fine, viable alternatives to imprisonment are available to the justice system.

Senator John Kelly

I appreciate the response that was written for the Minister of State, who is delivering it on behalf of the Minister for Justice and Equality. With that answer, the Minister of State said everything I said in my presentation. When will it be implemented? It is not being implemented. The Minister for Justice and Equality needs to be told it does not wash if the response is that the necessary ICT systems must be put in place three years after the Bill being passed with not one part of it being enacted. This could be done manually, never mind with an ICT system. Fines could be collected on an annual basis without having a computer. It was done for years before computerisation. It is important this is done as soon as possible and I would like if the Minister of State could pass on the message to the senior Minister.

Deputy Kathleen Lynch

We might misunderstand each other. The Minister has drafted a new Bill, the fines (amendment) Bill and would like to have it published and enacted as soon as possible. The weight of legislation that needs to be drawn up for other issues is enormous. With regard to the Fines Act 2010, three elements have been enacted. The section dealing with attachments and how we can deal with people who, as in the case cited by the Senator, are defiant and would prefer two weeks or a month in prison needs to be tightened up. The Minister has drafted new legislation and we are all on the one page.

Schools Building Programme Applications

Senator Lorraine Higgins

I welcome the Minister of State to the House and I thank her for taking this matter on the Adjournment. This deals with the potential provision of a new school building for the Educate Together multi-denominational school located at Kilcolgan, County Galway. I have been contacted by a number of parents of children attending the school, who want to know the Department's plans to provide a new school building. I am aware planning permission has been granted for a permanent structure in a site in Kilcolgan but, given that the Department has set out its five-year capital building plan for schools throughout Ireland, I assume it is plausible to believe this project will not go ahead. In the absence of planning permission being granted for a new school with a temporary structure in the townland, it is clear that Educate Together finds itself in a lacuna. The hopes of the new school building are conditional on planning permission being granted at the desired site for a temporary structure. It is plausible to assume a significant time period must pass before it gets to the planning process.

In the circumstances, I ask the Minister of State to outline the current situation and the possibility of capital funding for the development of a new temporary, modular-type multi-denominational primary school at Kilcolgan and the prospect of any such school receiving funding in the coming years, given that the current school urgently needs new premises. Can the Minister of State indicate a timeframe if the Department is mindful of providing funds to the school?

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government (Deputy Jan O'Sullivan)

I am responding to this Adjournment debate on behalf of the Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Ruairí Quinn. I hope to clarify some issues for the Senator and I thank her for raising it as it provides me with the opportunity to clarify the current position of the application for alternative accommodation in respect of Kilcolgan Educate Together national school.

To ensure that every child has access to a physical school place, it is vital there is sufficient school accommodation available to cater for these pupil enrolments. The delivery of building projects to meet the increasing demographic demands will be the main focus for capital investment over the duration of the five-year plan, particularly in areas where it has been identified that most demographic growth will be concentrated.

In this regard, Kilcolgan has not been identified as an area of significant demographic growth. Pupil enrolment projections for Kilcolgan indicate that enrolments will remain relatively stable for the foreseeable future. Kilcolgan Educate Together national school is currently located in temporary accommodation on a confined site. The school authority submitted a proposal to the Department for the construction of a new school on the basis of a build and lease back arrangement on an alternative site. The proposal did not fulfil the required tendering procedure and was therefore rejected. However, the Department acknowledged that the school requires additional accommodation and in October 2012 approved, in principle, alternative temporary accommodation to provide classroom, special needs and administrative spaces on an alternative site.

The school authority was advised that, in line with standard public procurement procedures, a tendering process to cost this temporary accommodation was required. The school authority subsequently submitted an alternative proposal to the Department at the end of January 2013. The proposal raised a number of queries for the Department and it was considered that a meeting with school representatives should be arranged to discuss the matter. A meeting took place on 5 February and it was agreed that the school will provide further information and clarification on issues addressed at the meeting. This is to include a full outline of the scope and scale of works being sought and clarification on the consultant appointment process etc. Departmental officials advised the meeting that the Department and the schools it funds are bound by the Government's public procurement guidelines. Such guidelines require a competitive process to be carried out in an open, objective and transparent manner.

On receipt of the information and clarifications from the school, the Department will give the school's proposals its immediate consideration and convey its decision to the school authority. Again, I thank the Senator for allowing me the opportunity to outline the position. I think I have answered some of her questions, although perhaps not all of them.

Senator Lorraine Higgins

I thank the Minister of State for her reply. It is quite clear that there is a difficulty now in that the school will have to go back and seek further planning permission for a temporary, modular-type facility. That will obviously result in a significant time lapse in terms of the school getting through the planning process. As I stated earlier, there is an urgent need for a school in the area as a consequence of the facility in which the school is currently housed not meeting health and safety requirements. I ask the Minister of State to pass my comments on to the Minister for Education and Skills.

Deputy Jan O'Sullivan

I will most certainly do that. The public procurement guidelines obviously have to be followed. I am not certain whether a temporary facility would need planning permission because I do not know the details but I will certainly pass on the Senator's concerns to the Minister and ask him to contact her directly.

Planning Issues

Senator Fidelma Healy Eames

I welcome the Minister of State to the House. I am delighted to have her hear to listen to this case, about which she has heard from me in the corridors of this House, on the telephone and in letters. I ask Deputy O'Sullivan, as Minister of State with special responsibility for housing in the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government, to specify where responsibility lies and the action that will be taken to support the residents of Oranhill and Oranmore, who number close to 1,000 people, including approximately 500 children, regarding a very dangerous site - a large hole, essentially - in the area and which has been abandoned since 2007. I have frequently described this very large, excavated hole as being more than big enough to sink Leinster House into. It belongs to what I can only describe as an unco-operative owner, although I hope we will see a change in that regard. I understand it is not a NAMA property but a site on which live planning permission exists. Given all of these conditions, can the Minister of State tell me whether the Derelict Sites Act 1990 applies. I have examined everything with regard to this site and it would appear, at every turn, the site and the residents fall between all stools.

This situation has existed since 2007, when a large excavation took place. The original plan was for shops to be built on the site and the excavation was originally carried out in good faith, but of course, we know what happened with the economy since that time. As I said, the Oranhill development comprises 300 units with up to 1,000 residents. The unanimous request from the residents is to have the hole filled in, for health and safety reasons, particularly, as well as for visual reasons and for the sake of other properties in the area. Various engineers' reports support this request. It became an even greater danger during recent bad weather when the flimsy and unsightly hoarding flew off the site, which could have hit a car, pedestrian or child. There is no footpath on one side of the road because of the hole. It is a serious health and safety issue. I have contacted the Health and Safety Authority about this matter but it has no responsibility because the site is not a workplace. Local children recently made a YouTube video about the hole, which has had over 17,000 views to date.

Galway County Council has repeatedly stated that it is its responsibility just to make the hole safe. The Minister of State's office has said the Department is not responsible because the site does not fit into category four of the national housing development survey of 2011, although in my view it fits perfectly into the description of a category four development, which refers to a development which has been effectively abandoned and is posing serious problems for residents. If the Minister of State could conclude that the site fits into that category, that would be a great outcome, and I ask her to consider that seriously.

The owner of the site is unresponsive to correspondence. The site has an active planning permission, renewed in 2011 and which extends to 2016, unfortunately. I have checked the Derelict Sites Act, however, and active planning permission does not mean the site will not qualify under that Act. Nothing has been done with the site. It is effectively abandoned and is posing serious problems for the residents. Everybody is upset about it. Even the children are up in arms about it and have made a YouTube video on the subject. If the site was given category four status, the council could apply for funding to address the immediate public safety concerns at the site. The site should clearly be on the category four list. The whole issue seems to be lost in bureaucracy and an avoidance of responsibility.

I believe the site clearly qualifies as a derelict site under the Derelict Sites Act 1990. Under the legislation, a derelict site means "any land ... which detracts, or is likely to detract, to a material degree from the amenity, character or appearance of land in the neighbourhood of the land in question" because of an unsuitable structure, which one could class the hole as, or because of the "neglected, unsightly or objectionable condition of the land or any structures on the land in question". The site in Oranhill fits into both categories.

If the site was classified as a derelict site, the council would have the right to make the site safe and reclaim any expenses from the owner who has effectively abandoned it, after giving him a written notice and a certain amount of time to act on the site. Through my reading of this Act, responsibility clearly lies with the council to act on this site under the provisions of the Derelict Sites Act.

I have given the Minister of State two proposals today. The first is that she could sort this out by putting the site on the list of category four developments. The second is that the council could sort this out under the Derelict Sites Act. I am at a precipice here, as are the residents of Oranhill. I ask the Minister of State to come up with a solution and to give direction on how best to act so that we can achieve harmony after almost six years.

Deputy Jan O'Sullivan

Senator Healy Eames has been following this issue and asking me about it for quite some time, and I understand her frustration and that of the residents. I thank her for raising the issue in the House.

Matters relating to planning disputes of this nature are matters for the individual local authority involved. I know Senator Healy Eames has heard this before but I have no jurisdiction in such issues. However, I am aware of the difficulties faced by the residents of Oranhill, Oranmore, County Galway.

The main difficulty associated with this development is one of compliance with the original planning permission. I understand that Galway County Council has been in regular contact with the developer on a range of issues relating to compliance with the full terms of the planning permission as granted. Galway County Council has recently received a complaint under the Derelict Sites Act 1990 - which is one of the solutions suggested by the Senator - and will make a determination soon as to whether that Act applies to this site.

Senator Fidelma Healy Eames

Has the council given that commitment to the Minister of State?

Deputy Jan O'Sullivan

I am chairing the national co-ordination committee on unfinished housing developments to oversee implementation of the report of the advisory group on unfinished housing developments, together with the Government's response to the recommendations. The committee includes representatives from the Irish Banking Federation, local authorities, the Housing and Sustainable Communities Agency, NAMA and the construction sector. Real progress is being made with regard to the public safety works required to improve the living conditions of existing residents on some unfinished estates, and the committee is meeting on a regular basis to oversee this effort. The committee has produced a guidance manual on resolving and managing unfinished estates, a key stakeholders code of practice and a guide for residents living in unfinished housing developments, all of which are available at housing.ie.

My Department launched the public safety initiative, PSI, in March 2011, which provided funding to address immediate public safety issues. The types of works that have been approved to date under the PSI include the fencing off of unsecured and hazardous areas, capping of pipes, installation of street lighting and other works to secure sites. Under the PSI, my Department has made allocations totalling some €3.879 million to 21 local authorities from the funding made available, and to date a total of €2.515 million has been drawn down by local authorities. However, I know that this is not much consolation to the Senator if it does not apply in this particular case. The PSI provides funding only in instances where a developer has abandoned the development. I understand that in this particular case, the developer is merely inactive and has not actually abandoned the development. In such circumstances, the responsibility for the maintenance and resolution of issues surrounding the development are matters which need to be addressed between the developer and the relevant stakeholders and my Department has no remit in this regard. This development does not, at present, qualify for funding under the PSI. However, should circumstances change in this regard, Galway County Council may apply to my Department for funding under the PSI to address immediate public safety concerns on the development.

The situation is that the site is not abandoned, as such, but is inactive.

Senator Fidelma Healy Eames

That is a matter of definition.

Deputy Jan O'Sullivan

If any information comes to my attention that would suggest that the site is totally abandoned, then it can come under the PSI. However, the information available to the Department at the moment is that the site is inactive rather than abandoned. As the Senator has said, the site has active planning permission.

The council is in regular contact with the developer and is doing what it can. At the moment, therefore, it cannot be classified as abandoned. The local authority is looking at the Derelict Sites Act in the application and will make a decision on that. If there is a change in the definition, this can be concluded under the public safety initiative. I am sorry I cannot give a more definitive answer.

Senator Fidelma Healy Eames

I thank the Minister of State for being here and listening. I would invite her to look at my hole, as would the residents, because it has to be seen to be believed. The Senator behind me would agree about this hole. The residents had a large hole party.

Deputy Jan O'Sullivan

I was invited to the large hole party.

Senator Fidelma Healy Eames

This is not just about compliance, they want it filled in. There are anomalies here. This was considered a finished estate for the household charge but it is clearly unfinished.

Deputy Jan O'Sullivan

It is not in one of those categories.

Senator Fidelma Healy Eames

That was wrong.

The Minister of State made the point that it is more inactive rather than abandoned but I would dispute that. I take the point that if it is classified as derelict site by the council, we can consider it abandoned. This developer said to me he would fill the hole in when we fix the economy, meaning he will never do it. Is it right that up to 1,000 people and 500 children are left in such a state in this wonderful area with houses that cost up to €700,000? It is not right and that is why I am asking the Minister of State to keep abreast of this case. We are talking about abandonment.

Deputy Jan O'Sullivan

There will be a decision soon whether it falls under the Derelict Sites Act and that should enable progress. I have been told it is not an abandoned site and it cannot therefore be covered under the public safety initiative. If there is information to suggest it has become an abandoned site, we can respond and have funding available.

Senator Fidelma Healy Eames

That is good news.

Deputy Jan O'Sullivan

I hope we will see progress in the near future and I commend the Senator for her vigilance and persistence on this issue.

Senator Fidelma Healy Eames

I used to live there.

Seirbhísí Oileán

An Cathaoirleach

I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy McGinley, back to the House. He could be mistaken for a Senator he is here so often.

Senator Trevor Ó Clochartaigh

Cuirim céad fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit. Táim an-bhuíoch dó as teacht isteach.

Is minic muid ag trácht ar na hábhair seo. Chuir muintir Thír Chonaill i leith an iar-Aire nach raibh sé ag caitheamh leath a dhóthain airgid go féaráilte le muintir an chontae. Tá daoine is dócha anois in Árainn ag rá an rud céanna faoin Aire Stáit, go n-áiríonn siad go bhfuil an tAire Stáit ag caitheamh a thuilleadh ar cheantair eile.

Deputy Dinny McGinley

Níl sin fíor. Táim ag caitheamh níos mó ama agus airgid san iarthar ná fiú amháin i dTír Chonaill. Tá siadsan ag rá ansin nach bhfeiceann siad ar chor ar bith mé, agus go mbím de shíor i gConamara.

Senator Trevor Ó Clochartaigh

Sin mar a chloisim ar an talamh. I ndáiríre píre, tá an cheist atá le hardú agam tromchúiseach go leor maidir le seirbhísí iompair amach go dtí na trí Oileáin Árann. Tá athruithe ag teacht de bharr cúinsí buiséid ar an soláthar atá le fáil ón Roinn maidir le seirbhísí go hÁrainn. Roimh an Nollaig bhí stocaireacht ar bun ag muintir Árann maidir leis an tseirbhís aerthaistil. Tháinig siad chuig cruinnithe leis an Aire Stáit féin agus rinne siad go leor leor plé maidir le riachtanas na seirbhíse. Cuireadh in iúl an tábhacht a bhaineann leis an tseirbhís ó thaobh cúrsaí sláinte de agus do na daoine atá ag obair sna seirbhísí ar an oileán a thagann ón mhórthír.

Tuigim go bhfuil an tseirbhís ag leanúint ar aghaidh agus go bhfuil sé idir dhá cheann na meá mar tháinig laghdú ar bhuiséad an Aire Stáit maidir leis an aerthaisteal agus ní dhearna sé ráiteas faoi seo le tamall anuas. Ba bhreá liom dá dtabharfadh an tAire Stáit soiléiriú cá bhfuilimid ag dul, an tseirbhís aerthaistil go hÁrainn go háirithe. An bhfuil sé i gceist aige leanúint ar aghaidh leis an oibleagáid seirbhíse poiblí don tseirbhís sin ag an leibhéal céanna mar atá sé faoi láthair nó an bhfuil athbhreithniú déanta ar an bhuiséad sin?

Thug an Roinn amach conarthaí don tseirbhís farantóireachta go dtí na trí Oileáin Árann agus bhí an conradh maidir le hInis Oírr agus Inis Meáin ar an bhonn chéanna agus a bhí sé roimhe seo. D'iarr an Rialtas tairiscintí ar an tseirbhís go hInis Mór agus ní bhfuarthas aon tairiscint ó aon chomhlacht air sin. An toradh leis sin ná gur dhúbail an costas ar an ghnáth-dhuine atá ag taisteal ó Inis Mór go Ros an Mhíl ó €8 go dtí €15 an cloigeann. Dúbáilte is é sin ar an chostas atá orthu taisteal isteach is amach ar an bhád farantóireachta. Tuigim gur seirbhís phríobháideach atá i gceist ansin agus go bhfuil comhlacht príobháideach á cur ar fáil. Cad iad na pleananna atá ag an Roinn chun déanamh cinnte go ndéanfar deonú de chineál éigin ar mhuintir Árainn ionas nach mbeidh orthu €15 a íoc in aghaidh an turais isteach agus amach agus go dtabharfar cothrom na Féinne dóibh agus ráta €8 a thabhairt ar ais? Tá an t-airgead gann sa Stát, tuigim sin, ach is ualach breise é sin ar na daoine atá ina gcónaí ar Inis Mór. Tuigtear dom go bhfuil mic léinn atá ag taisteal chun na hollscoile agus daoine ag dul amach agus isteach go Gaillimh go rialta ar chúrsaí gnó agus mar sin, agus tá seo ag cur brú an-mhór orthu.

Chomh maith leis sin, istigh leis an tseirbhís a bhí ann le teacht isteach agus amach go hÁrainn, bhí seirbhís bhus ó Ros an Mhíl isteach go Gaillimh a bhí clúdaithe sa táille a bhí i gceist. An bhfuil aon rud le rá faoi sin ag an Aire Stáit ós rud é nach dtagann an tseirbhís sin anois faoi scáth na Roinne agus nach bhfuil aon socrú idir an Roinn agus an comhlacht a chuireann an tseirbhís farantóireachta ar fáil?

Ar bhealach, tá na daoine atá ag iarraidh dul isteach agus amach ar an bhád sáinnithe mar níl acu ach soláthróir amháin go pointe áirithe ó thaobh an chomhlachta atá ag dul isteach agus amach. Níl aon rogha acu ach an €15 a íoc. Tá costais bhreise páirceála ann freisin anois i Ros an Mhíl agus mar sin ní mór sin a chur san áireamh chomh maith. Tá teorainn ar líon na spásanna ansin agus níl daoine in ann páirceáil mura n-íocann siad ar an chóras iomlán tráchtála.

Sin roinnt ceisteanna don Aire Stáit. Tuigim go bhfuil sé ag obair orthu ach tá sé tamall ó shocraigh sé an buiséad agus ba bhreá liom fáil amach cá bhfuilimid ag dul ó thaobh na seirbhísí seo agus ó thaobh an chúnaimh Stáit ach go háirithe do na seirbhísí taistil isteach agus amach chuig na trí Oileáin Árann.

Minister of State at the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht (Deputy Dinny McGinley)

Ar dtús, tá áthas orm go bhfuil an t-allúntas céanna againn don bhliain reatha 2013 le seirbhísí mar sin a chur ar fáil do na hoileáin agus mar a bhí anuraidh: €5.9 milliún. Saghas éachta é sin nuair atá ciorruithe i ngach gné de na caiteachais atá ar fáil do na Ranna ar fad sa tír, gur éirigh linn an t-allúntas i mbliana a choinneáil mar a bhí sé anuraidh. Léiriú é sin ar cé chomh dáiríre agus atáimid na seirbhísí chomh fada agus is féidir a choinneáil do na hoileáin.

Leis na gealltanais atá ann faoi láthair, tá mo Roinnse ag íoc thart ar 60% den soláthar seo ar na trí Oileáin Árann amháin, áit a bhfuil 43% de dhaonra na n-oileán de réir an daonáirimh. Mar is eol don Seanadóir, tá mo Roinn ag tabhairt fóirdheontais do sheirbhísí farantóireachta, lastais agus aeir do na hOileáin Árann as an soláthar seo.

Ba dheas liom léargas a thabhairt don Seanad maidir leis na conarthaí iompair atá fóirdheonaithe ag mo Roinn agus atá i bhfeidhm faoi láthair. D'aontaigh mo Roinn conradh nua farantóireachta d'Inis Oírr agus d'Inis Meáin ag deireadh na bliana seo caite. Mairfidh an conradh sin go dtí mí Dheireadh Fómhair 2017, rud a chinnteoidh seirbhís rialta do phobal na n-oileán sin sna blianta atá amach romhainn. Anuas air sin, socraíodh faoin chonradh go gcuirfear seoladh breise ar fáil i lár an lae ar an Domhnach i míonna an Mheithimh, lúil agus Lúnasa, mar a bhí iarrtha ag na hoileánaigh iad féin.

Ina theannta sin, d'aontaigh mo Roinn conradh nua lastais a tháinig i bhfeidhm ar an 1 Eanáir 2013. Cinnteoidh an conradh nua seo go mbeidh seirbhís lastais rialta ar fáil do na hOileáin Árann suas go dtí deireadh 2017. Sílim gur éacht a bhí ann do mo Roinn go raibh sí ábalta an leibhéal céanna seirbhíse a choimeád faoin chonradh nua seo, nuair a thógtar san áireamh an brú atá ar ár mbuiséad le blianta beaga anuas.

Maidir leis an tseirbhís farantóireachta d'Árainn, is amhlaidh nach bhfuair mo Roinn aon tairiscint chun an tseirbhís seo a sholáthar nuair a fógraíodh é seo ar an gcóras eTenders anuraidh. Bhí plé ína dhiaidh sin ag mo Roinn leis an fharantóir a chuireann an tseirbhís ar fáil d'Árainn faoi láthair, féachaint an bhféadfaí an conradh a bhí i bhfeidhm ag an am a athnuachan ar na téarmaí céanna go dtí an 31 Eanáir 2014. Níor éirigh leis na cainteanna sin, áfach, mar nach bhféadfadh mo Roinn glacadh le héileamh an fharantóra ardú ollmhór a thabhairt ar an fhóirdheontas i gcás seirbhíse atá ag déanamh brabúis. Mar a thuigfidh an Seanad, caithfidh mo Roinn a chinntiú go bhfuiltear ag fáil luach ar airgead don Státchiste i dtaca leis na fóirdheontais éagsúla atá i bhfeidhm. Tuigtear dom go bhfuil an farantóir ag leanúint leis an tseirbhís chéanna a sholáthar, mar atá ráite ag an Seanadóir, gan aon chúnamh Stáit ós rud é go bhfuil inmharthanacht tráchtála ann. Tuigtear dom fosta go bhfuil i gceist ag an fharantóir an tseirbhís chéanna a sholáthar ar bhonn leanúnach.

Maidir leis an tseirbhís aeir d'Oileáin Árann, tá an conradh reatha ag teacht chun críche ar 31 Lúnasa 2013. Ní miste a nótáil go bhfuil costas an-ard i gceist. Tá costas de thart ar €1.9 milliún in aghaidh na bliana ag baint leis an tseirbhís aeir agus leis an tseirbhís bhainistíochta aeradróim atá ceangailte leis. Is é sin an tríú cuid den bhuiséad iomlán atá ag mo Roinn do na seirbhísí iompair do na hoileáin go léir.

Ós rud é go dtagann seirbhísí aeir fóirdheonaithe faoi rialacháin an Aontais Eorpaigh, tá mo Roinn ag tógáil na céimeanna cuí faoi láthair i dtaca leis na rialacháin seo le gur féidir, le comhaontú an Choimisiúin Eorpaigh, cuireadh chun tairisceana a eisiúint anois faoi Oibleagáid Seirbhíse Phoiblí, PSO, le haghaidh conradh bliana, le rogha ann síneadh bliana eile a thabhairt ag deireadh na tréimhse sin. Mar sin, táimid ag dul chuig an Eoraip anois agus ag iarraidh cead an conradh aeir mar atá faoi láthair a leanadh ar feadh bliana agus rogha a bheith againn bliain eile a fháil ina dhiaidh sin. Tá i gceist chomh maith, i gcomhréir le rialacháin an Aontais Eorpaigh, céimeanna a ghlacadh chun athbhreithniú foirmiúil a dhéanamh ar riachtanas an PSO i gcás na nOileán Árann. Táim ag súil go mbeidh mé ábalta tuilleadh sonraí maidir leis na céimeanna seo a fhógairt go han-luath.

Ní miste a rá go bhfuil roinnt mhaith cruinnithe reachtáilte ag mo Roinn le hionadaithe ó na hOileáin Árann chun plé a dhéanamh ar nithe éagsúla le tamall anuas. Go deimhin, d'fhreastail mé féin ar thrí chruinniú leis na hoileánaigh le roinnt míonna anuas. Ba cruinnithe oscailte iad le hionadaithe na n-oileán agus rinneadh plé iomlán ar na seirbhísí éagsúla a cuirtear ar fáil do phobal na n-oileán.

Tá súil agam go soiléiríonn an méid sin an staid reatha maidir leis na hOileáin Árann. Tá mo Roinn ag obair go dícheallach chun na seirbhísí is fearr gur féidir a chur ar fáil do mhuintir Oileáin Árann taobh isteach den bhuiséad atá againn, sin €5.9 milliún, mar a bhí againn anuraidh. Táimid ag déanamh ár ndíchill idir seirbhísí lastais, seirbhísí farantóireachta, seirbhísí aeir agus seirbhísí busanna a choinneáil ar an leibhéal sin. Níl sé éasca é a dhéanamh ach táimid ag déanamh gach iarracht é a dhéanamh.

Senator Trevor Ó Clochartaigh

Ta mé thar a bheith buíoch don Aire Stáit, ach go háirithe gur shoiléirigh sé go bhfuil an PSO maidir le haer thaistil le cur amach arís agus go mbeidh sé ag fanacht mar atá sé faoi láthair agus ar an mbonn céanna.

Seo a leanas an cheist is mó a ardaítear, agus atá le hardú ón méid adúirt an t-Aire Stáit. Maidir leis an mbád farantóireachta go hInis Mór, tá sé fíor go bhfuil an comhlacht atá ag cur an tseirbhís ar fáil ag cur na seirbhíse céanna ar fáil agus a bhí, ach tá sé fíor freisin go bhfuil na daoine atá ag úsáid na seirbhíse sin ag íoc beagnach dúbail uirthi ná mar a bhí cheana. Dúirt an t-Aire Stáit go bhfuil an buiséad céanna aige agus a bhí cheana. An bhfuil sé i gceist aige an t-airgead a bhí aige, agus a bhí sé ag caitheamh leis an gcomhlacht sin anuraidh, a úsáid le fóirdheonú a dhéanamh ar chóras éigin leis na daoine atá ag taisteal? An bhfuil sé ábalta, b'féidir, airgead a íoc leis na hoileánaigh ar chóras éigin le go mbeidh siad ag taisteal ar an gcostas céanna, €8 in aghaidh an turais, agus a bhíodar cheana? An féidir leis an Aire Stáit teacht ar aon socrú, mar tá sé ag rá go bhfuil an t-airgead fós sa chóras in áit éigin, go raibh €5.9 milliún aige agus go bhfuil sin fós aige i mbliana? An bhfuil sé i gceist ag an Aire Stáit an t-airgead a bhí sé ag úsáid ar an tseirbhís sin roimhe seo a úsáid le déanamh cinnte nach gá dos na hoileánaigh níos mó a íoc i mbliana ná mar a d'íoc siad anuraidh?

Deputy Dinny McGinley

Is é an rud is tábhachtaí ná go bhfuil an tseirbhís ann, go bhfuil sí ar fáil ar an gcaighdeán céanna agus go bhfuil sí leanúnach. Tá ciste teoranta agam agus táimid ag iarraidh tabhairt faoin tseirbhís aeir a choinneáil ag dul. Ní féidir liom geallúint a thabhairt go dtí go bhfeicimid cad é a tharlóidh ins an tseirbhís aeir.

Tá an dá sheirbhís tábhachtach. Tá an tseirbhís aeir tábhachtach. Sin an fáth go bhfuilimid ag dul chuig an Eoraip ag iarraidh bliain breise láithreach agus bliain eile ina dhiaidh sin. Tá an tseirbhís farantóireachta ag dul ar aghaidh.

É sin ráite, bhí cruinniú agam agus ag oifigigh mo Roinne le hionadaithe na n-oileánach cúpla seachtain ó shin agus phléigh muid é seo ar feadh cúpla uair an chloig. Thuig mé on chruinniú sin go mb'fhéidir go mbeidh comhráití idir ionadaithe mhuintir na n-oileán agus an farantóir féin. Más féidir leis an Roinn a theacht isteach ins an choibhneas beidh fonn orainn a theacht isteach ansin agus iarracht a dhéanamh teacht ar réiteach a thabharfaidh faoiseamh dos na hoileánaigh.

Tá seirbhís lastais, seirbhís paisinéirí agus seirbhís busanna ann, agus is é an cuspóir atá agam i láthair na huaire ná na seirbhísí a choinneáil ar siúl. Sin an cloch is troime agus is mó ar mo phaidrín ag an phointe seo, chomh fada agus a bhaineann sé leis na hoileáin.

Tá 60% den liúntas atá agam le freastail ar 21 oileán, ó Thoraigh go Corcaigh agus Ciarraí agus thart fán chósta, ag dul dos na trí oileán seo. Ní beag an tsuim í sin. Tá mé ag déanamh mo dhíchill na seirbhísí a choinneáil sa tsiúil.

Tá súil agam go n-aithníonn an Seanadóir, agus na hionadaithe thiar ansin, an obair atáimid a dhéanamh agus an saothar atáimid ag cur isteach ins an chás seo.

The Seanad adjourned at 8.20 p.m. until 10.30 a.m. on Thursday, 28 February 2013.