Select Committee on Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs debate -
Thursday, 1 Dec 2016

Business of Committee

Chairman

I welcome the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Deputy Heather Humphreys; an Aire Stáit do ghnóthaí Gaeltachta agus acmhainní nádúrtha, an Teachta Kyne; and the Minister of State with responsibility for regional economic development, Deputy Ring. I also welcome Mr. Joe Hamill, who is the Secretary General of the Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs; Mr. Feargal Ó Coigligh and Mr. Niall Ó Donnchú, who are assistant secretaries in the Department; and Mr. Conor Falvey, who is a principal officer in the Department. Gabhaim míle buíochas leo as ucht teacht isteach anseo inniu.

Before we move on to consider the matters before the select committee today, I would like to articulate the concerns of the committee regarding the interruption in the ferry service to the Aran Islands. The committee, without prejudicing any of the participants in the issue, would like to ask the Department to focus as much energy as it possibly can on making sure this difficult issue is resolved as soon as possible. The potential exists for the people of the Aran Islands, especially Inis Mór, to have no ferry service until St. Patrick's Day. In light of what I have said, it is only right for me to give the Minister of State, Deputy Kyne, an opportunity to respond.

Minister of State at the Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs (Deputy Seán Kyne)

I thank the Chairman for giving me this opportunity. I assure the committee that the Department is doing everything it can. I am in constant contact with my Oireachtas colleagues in the constituency, including Deputy Ó Cuív and the Chairman's party colleague, Senator Ó Clochartaigh, and the councillors who represent the local area. As members are probably aware, Galway County Council's annual budget meeting for 2017 is taking place at present. This matter will be discussed at that meeting. I am sure Sinn Féin, Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil councillors are fully briefed on the importance of this issue. I hope the proposal that is to be made at this afternoon's meeting will allow the situation to be rectified.

Ultimately, it is up to the provider. In the meantime, my Department is doing all it can to ensure we get an alternative company involved, if needs be. The operator I spoke to yesterday stated that the continuation of the services will depend on the outcome of today's council meeting.

Chairman

There are two parts to today's meeting. In the first part, we will consider the further Revised Estimates for the Department for 2016. In the second part, we will take Committee Stage of the Wildlife (Amendment) Bill 2016.