Air Strips Usage

Wednesday, 2 April 2014

Questions (156)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

156. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will be willing to consider leasing the air strips in Cluain Leacht an Abba, Cleggan and in Inishbofin to a company or community group which wished to use them for private use only, therefore not requiring the licensing of the air strips for use and their use in a similar fashion to the 110 unlicensed air strips in the country, in view of the tourist potential of the such use of the air strips; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15512/14]

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Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

As the Deputy is aware, a decision has been made to dispose of the airstrips on Inishbofin and at Cleggan in Co. Galway. My Department is currently assessing the disposal options available to it, including leasing the facilities, and a decision in this regard will be announced in due course. The disposal of the airstrips will be undertaken by way of a public procurement process. The various stipulations, attached to the permissions obtained for these developments, will be fully considered as part of the disposal process.