Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 1 June 2016
37. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her plans to complete the development of the airstrips at Inishbofin and Cluain Leacht an Abba, Cleggan, to make them operational; her plans to provide a regular service from Aerfort Réigiúnach Chonamara to these airstrips; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13321/16]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware that my Department developed the two airstrips referred to with a view to commencing a scheduled air service between the island of Inishbofin and the mainland. However, due to the changed economic circumstances, a decision was taken in 2013 to dispose of both airstrips and surrounding sites.
I can inform the Deputy that the Office of Public Works, OPW, has undertaken a feasibility study at the Cleggan site of the possibility of developing a base there for an Irish Coast Guard station. I am advised that the OPW intends to seek planning permission for a temporary Irish Coast Guard station, with the possibility of a permanent station being developed at a future date. There are discussions between Galway County Council and the OPW on land for this purpose and land ownership. Obviously, the Irish Coast Guard is important. Only this week there was tragedy in the Connemara region with a death at sea and another incident today at Inverin consequent to which the Irish Coast Guard was called. I fully support the development of the Irish Coast Guard station.
Against this background, my Department has no immediate plans to complete the development of the airstrips with a view to making them operational, nor are there plans to provide funding for a regular service between Aerfort Réigiúnach Chonamara and the airstrips. However, I have asked my Department to undertake a consultation process as soon as possible on the disposal of these two airstrips.
Being new in the job, I asked the officials in the Roinn to engage immediately with the local communities to determine their wishes on the service. Obviously, the airstrips have been built. In his previous role Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív had a large role to play in this. I appreciate that. Local business people and the community were also involved. The long-term aim has to be to develop an air service between Cleggan and Inishbofin. As I stated, I have no immediate plans, but that is not to say I do not believe it should be done, nor does it mean that I will not take up this issue in the very near future. While waiting, I have asked my officials to start a consultation process that will take place quickly and not be prolonged. It is to obtain the views of the locals, be they in business, members of the island community or the community development body on Inishbofin or other interested individuals, to ascertain what they believe should be done.
In response to the first question, the Minister of State said the service to the Aran Islands was important and that he fully subscribed to that view. Since Inishbofin is a lot further from Galway, why would an air service to that island not be of equal benefit to the islanders? Will the Minister of State assure me that there is absolutely no question of disposing this State infrastructure that was put in place with the people's money to provide a vital service to an island? Would the Minister of State be willing to examine the potential cost of providing a reasonable service from Aerfort Réigiúnach Chonamara, where the project could be completed at a marginal cost because there are airplanes and an airstrip available? There could be flights both to Cleggan and Inishbofin, perhaps three or four days per week initially. This could be done at a marginal cost since all of the infrastructure is in place and pilots are available. The Minister of State knows all of the arguments and Aran islanders would explain them to him. Therefore, will he answer my three very specific questions? I look forward to the answers.
The Deputy is correct that the people living on Inishbofin have the same right as those living on every other island off the west coast. Obviously, we have responsibility for providing services to all of them, including, for example, the helipad on Tory Island which has been in place for the past few years. A decision was made in 2013 on the disposal of the airstrips. As I said, I now wish to seek the views of the communities affected by it. Obviously, any such decision would have to be agreed to by the Government. Issue arises in the disposal of State assets. There was a considerable investment in these projects and it is something that would have to be agreed to. I do not believe Government approval should be sought until such time as we hear from the communities on what they want.
With regard to having a reasonable service from Aerfort Réigiúnach Chonamara, that issue could be examined. If it is part of the recommendations or the people's views in the consultation in which I am engaging, it can certainly be examined. If there is a low-cost service that could be provided, it could certainly be considered within the budgetary constraints. Obviously, the Deputy, with the rest of the Members, will have a role in the budgetary process on these matters.
Do I understand from the Minister of State that he will immediately seek to establish what it would cost to provide a service such as a service three days a week to Inishbofin in order we can have a realistic debate on real costs? Will he clarify whether he is ruling out or still holding open the possibility of selling this vital infrastructure to private interests? He seems to be leaving the door open to the sale of the assets, which I obviously oppose. Does he agree that depopulation is a challenge on islands? As the population drops, it imposes a huge cost on the State, as he knows. Does he acknowledge that the best way to keep people on islands is to provide very efficient infrastructural services for them? They are provided at a minimal cost to the State compared with other transport services around the country.
I agree on the issue of depopulation. Obviously, the better the service in any rural area, be it on an island or anywhere else, the more depopulation is prevented. As part of the programme for Government, we hope to examine issues concerning a rural resettlement scheme. I certainly believe - I have touched on this with my officials - the islands should be very much a place where it should be prioritised and implemented.
On the sale, as I said in my reply, a decision was taken in 2013 to dispose of both airstrips and surrounding sites. I have asked the Roinn to initiate a discussion on this matter with locals and those with vested interests. Obviously, disposal was the decision made in 2013. It would have to be examined and agreed to by the Cabinet were it to go ahead.
On the question of costs, if the possibility of a service emerges from the consultation process, it will need to be examined in the context of our budget discussions and budget preparation.
