Tuesday, 14 Jun 2016

Written Answers Nos 349-370

European Council Meetings

Questions (349)

Darragh O'Brien

Question:

349. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to report on his most recent Foreign Affairs Council meeting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15586/16]

Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

I attended the most recent Foreign Affairs Council (FAC) meeting in Brussels on 23 May where migration, the threat posed by ISIL/Da’esh, and the EU Global Strategy on Foreign and Security Policy were on the agenda. The FAC meeting was preceded by a ministerial meeting on the Eastern Partnership.

The Council had a wide-ranging discussion on the external aspects of migration. The High Representative, Federica Mogherini (HRVP), highlighted the work that has been accomplished with the G5 Sahel Group (comprising Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania, and Niger); the HRVP also mentioned that €750m has been approved for security projects under the Valetta trust fund, with another funding round in June which will focus on further security projects. Speaking about the considerable role that Turkey is playing in addressing the migrant crisis, I also reiterated Ireland’s concerns in respect of the rule of law, human rights and freedom of the media in Turkey and the need to hold Turkey to account to the core European values inherent in the accession process.

Ministers noted the easing of migratory pressures in recent months, and underlined the need for short, medium and long term solutions; for contingency planning and for a focus on legal economic migration. I highlighted Ireland’s ongoing role in providing humanitarian assistance through our bilateral arrangement with Italy. Four Irish vessels have deployed to the Mediterranean since May 2015, most recently the L.E. Róisín. To date they have rescued 9,374 people. I also emphasised that it is only through tackling the root causes of migration- political instability, inequality, and poverty in countries of origin- that the EU can hope to resolve this global phenomenon.

The Council also discussed the threat posed by ISIL/Da’esh, which incorporated a discussion on the situation in Iraq, and the need for a renewed focus on the political track in Syria. Ministers underlined that the stabilisation of liberated areas is of the utmost importance in Iraq. On Syria, the necessity of continued support for UN Special Envoy De Mistura was emphasised. Ministers agreed that the regional strategy remains valid, and adopted the related Council Conclusions.

The HRVP briefed Ministers on the ongoing preparation of the new EU Global Strategy on Foreign and Security Policy, which she is leading. I intervened to highlight key issues of importance for Ireland, including the need for the strategy to address the root causes of instability, such as repression and denial of basic human rights; poor governance and corruption; poverty and underdevelopment. I emphasised that the strategy should be firmly grounded in the Treaties and should aim to mobilise all aspects of the EU’s external action in pursuit of coherent policy objectives. The HRVP informed Ministers that it is expected that the strategy will be presented to the European Council in June.

The Eastern Partnership meeting brought together EU Foreign Ministers with the Foreign Ministers of the six Eastern Partnership countries. The Ministerial meeting took place one year after the EU reaffirmed its support for the six participating countries at the May 2015 Riga Summit and was the first Eastern Partnership ministerial since the adoption of the Review of the European Neighbourhood Policy in December 2015. The meeting was constructive and proved again that it is an effective framework for cooperation and dialogue with our Eastern neighbours. I underscored that it is important that the Eastern Partnership continues to incentivise reform and progress, and joined with many other ministers in expressing concern for recent escalation of violence in Nagorno-Karabakh. I appealed to all participants to engage actively with the OSCE Minsk Group to reach a sustainable agreement.

International Agreements

Questions (350)

Jonathan O'Brien

Question:

350. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the steps necessary to ratify the UN optional protocol to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. [15697/16]

Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

In my reply of 31 May 2016, I reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to the promotion and protection of economic, social and cultural rights as evidenced by Ireland’s signature of the Optional Protocol.

In accordance with Ireland’s standard practice, in order to ensure that the State can meet its obligations under the Optional Protocol upon ratification, it is necessary to carry out a thorough and wide-ranging examination of its provisions. As referred to in my earlier reply, this process will involve extensive consultation with all relevant Government Departments and Offices, aimed at identifying and implementing any measures required to give effect to the Optional Protocol.

Once the necessary steps to ensure compliance have been carried out, I will seek Government authority for ratification of the Optional Protocol.

Departmental Correspondence

Questions (351)

John McGuinness

Question:

351. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will review correspondence from a person (details supplied) to determine if he can meet and provide assistance and information to persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15746/16]

Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

I thank the Deputy for his question regarding the individual concerned.

Officials in my Department have been in contact with this individual and have endeavoured to provide all possible and appropriate assistance, and stand ready to continue to assist.

I would invite the Deputy to advise the individual to make direct contact with officials in the Consular Division of my Department who would be happy to provide any further possible assistance in this case. The contact person is: Marianne Bolger and can be contacted by email [e-mail] or telephone [phone].

Military Aircraft Landings

Questions (352, 353, 354, 355)

Clare Daly

Question:

352. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the reason a military aircraft (details supplied) of the US was at Shannon Airport on 1 June 2016; and the implications for our neutrality. [15753/16]

Clare Daly

Question:

353. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if, and the details, permission was requested on occasions other than 1 June 2016 (details supplied) for a military aircraft of the US to land at Shannon Airport, County Clare. [15754/16]

Clare Daly

Question:

354. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if a military aircraft of the US (details supplied), which was present at Shannon Airport on 1 June 2016, sought permission to land and if he granted this permission. [15755/16]

Clare Daly

Question:

355. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the date permission was sought and the date on which he granted permission to a military aircraft of the US (details supplied) to land at Shannon Airport on 1 June 2016. [15756/16]

Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

I propose to take Questions Nos. 352 to 355, inclusive, together.

My Department received a request dated 13 May 2016 in respect of an aircraft with the call sign to which the Deputy refers. The request sought permission to land at Shannon Airport on 31 May and to depart on 2 June 2016. The request stated that the aircraft was unarmed, carried no arms, ammunition or explosives and that it would not engage in intelligence gathering. It also stated that the flight did not form part of any military operation or exercises. The purpose of the landing was stated as crew rest.

On 16 May 2016 my Department granted clearance for the landing provided that the aircraft was unarmed and carried no arms, ammunition or explosives, would not engage in intelligence gathering and that the flight in question would not form part of military exercises or operations.

No other request for permission to land in respect of an aircraft operating with the registration number to which the Deputy refers has been received to date this year, nor was one received in 2015.

Ireland’s traditional policy of military neutrality is characterised by non-participation in military alliances. This commitment to this policy was reconfirmed last year in the Foreign Policy Review “The Global Island,” and in the White Paper on Defence.

Successive Governments have made landing facilities at Shannon Airport available to the United States for well over 50 years. Permission must be sought in advance for landings by all foreign military aircraft, including US aircraft, and if granted, is subject to the strict conditions which I have outlined.

These arrangements do not amount to any form of military alliance with the United States and are consistent with our policy of military neutrality.

Sports Events

Questions (356)

Darragh O'Brien

Question:

356. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the measures he has implemented to support, assist and safeguard Irish citizens travelling abroad in summer 2016 to sporting and other events; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15886/16]

Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

The Government is acutely conscious of the safety and security issues associated with major sporting events. My Department is therefore actively engaging with the authorities and key stakeholders in France and Brazil in order that all appropriate measures are taken to ensure that Irish citizens travelling to both Euro 2016 and the Rio Olympic Games are safe. The primary responsibility, of course, for the security of visitors in these countries lies with local police services, and we know that French and Brazilian authorities are taking security around these major events very seriously.

Detailed travel advice is available on my Department’s website – www.dfa.ie – and the Department’s new TravelWise app which was launched on 10 June, and I would encourage all those considering travel to these or any other destinations this summer to study it carefully.

Our advice to Irish citizens travelling to France is that they should exercise a high degree of caution. In view of the exceptional security situation in France following the terrorist attacks on 13 November, my Department has been developing and implementing a comprehensive action plan to ensure that our Embassy in Paris is equipped to deal with the likely increased consular demand over the coming weeks. My Department has also been working closely with UEFA and the relevant national and local authorities in France, and with An Garda Síochána, the Football Association of Ireland and travel industry representatives in Ireland on planning and preparation.

The Embassy has been reinforced with an additional five experienced officers redeployed from Headquarters in Dublin. Officials have been present on the ground in Paris and will be present in Bordeaux and Lille around match dates to provide advice and emergency consular assistance to Irish citizens in difficulty.

There is a dedicated Euro 2016 consular phone line operational 7 days a week from 10 June at 00 33 1441 76780. Specialised consular and emergency response training has been delivered to the staff at the Embassy and additional communications and IT equipment has also been provided in order to enhance our consular capacity.

My Department has also prepared an information campaign targeted at travelling football fans to help them be as well-informed as possible. I launched this campaign on April 18 highlighting the “First Eleven” travel tips for fans. A dedicated microsite has been published in order to relay all of the Department’s key information in relation to the tournament: www.dfa.ie/euro2016.

Fifty thousand printed information leaflets, providing travel advice and key emergency contact details, were distributed at the recent friendly matches in Dublin and Cork, and more have been provided to airports, ferry ports, and Irish pubs in France, as well as being available on-line and on social media. Both the aforementioned Department website and TravelWise app will remain a valuable source of information for Irish citizens abroad, and will be an important communications tool for our Government’s consular response in the event of any emergency abroad.

The Department’s current travel advice for Brazil advises Irish citizens to exercise normal precautions. Particular risks highlighted include high crime levels, road safety issues and mosquito-borne diseases, including the Zika virus. In contrast to Euro 2016, the number of Irish citizens expected to travel to Brazil is relatively low, based on estimates from the Olympic Council of Ireland, with whom my Department is in regular contact. The Embassy of Ireland in Brasilia and Consulate General in São Paulo have been actively engaging with the Brazilian authorities in relation to all aspects of planning for the tournament, including regarding policing and ensuring that visiting Irish citizens attending Rio 2016 stay safe. A temporary Consulate will be established in Rio de Janeiro for the duration of the Olympics and Paralympics tournaments.

My Department remains in close and continuous contact with the HSE’s Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) on the Zika virus and additional health-related concerns. Travel Advice in response to the Zika Virus outbreak, based on the advice of the HSE and the WHO, is available on the Department’s website. This specifically and strongly recommends that pregnant women consider postponing their travel to Zika-affected areas. We are closely monitoring the situation and will continue to regularly update our travel advice in this regard.

I encourage all citizens travelling to both France and Brazil to pay close attention to updates to the travel advice on the website and TravelWise app, check their passports are in date and arrange comprehensive travel insurance before they depart. I would also urge all travelling fans to register their details on our Citizens’ Registration facility, also available through our website.

International Agreements

Questions (357)

Darragh O'Brien

Question:

357. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the status of the impact of the EU-Turkey migration deal negotiated in March 2016; the mechanisms that have been put in place to ensure the human rights of refugees returned to Turkey are protected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15887/16]

Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

The core intention of the Agreement which emerged from the March European Council is to break the business model of the people smugglers who are profiting from the suffering of the vulnerable. In particular, it aims to discourage the victims of people smugglers from risking their lives and dangerous sea journeys. The very significant decline in the number of people attempting to cross the Aegean Sea from Turkey to the Greek Islands since the agreement entered into force suggests that it is achieving its aims.

The need for the agreement to comply with EU and international law was a key concern for very many EU Member States, including Ireland. The legal advice of the EU institutions and the Attorney General’s Office was that the terms of the Agreement were not in breach of EU or International law.

The EU and Turkey have agreed that there will be no blanket returns. Each migrant has the right to apply for international protection in Greece and to have their application assessed on an individual basis in line with international law, including with a right to appeal. Part of this assessment process includes ascertaining whether Turkey can be considered a safe country given an irregular migrant or asylum seeker’s individual circumstances.

Turkey has provided formal guarantees as part of the EU-Turkey Agreement that Syrian refugees returned to Turkey will be granted temporary protection upon return. Non-Syrians in need of international protection who are returned to Turkey, will also be able to apply for and receive protection there. The European Commission reported on 4 May that Turkey has received all those returned from Greece in accordance with the Agreement.

The EU is also committed to assisting Turkey deal with the enormous challenge of hosting some 2.7 million refugees and to improve the situation for these refugees. To this end, the EU has established a €3 billion Facility for Refugees in Turkey. This Facility aims to support Syrians and other refugees by providing access to food, shelter, education, and healthcare.

I am aware of reports by Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International, including testimony from migrants and witnesses that some Turkish border guards have used violence against Syrians. These reports are very worrying and will require a full investigation by the Turkish authorities. While Turkey has a right to secure its border with Syria, all actions on the part of Turkey must be in line with international law.

More broadly, the issue of human rights in Turkey has been raised by the Taoiseach at European Council and continues to form an integral part of the country’s enlargement process, which we, along with our European partners keep under close review. At the Foreign Affairs Council on 23 May, I reiterated Ireland’s concerns in respect of the rule of law, human rights and freedom of the media in Turkey and the need to hold Turkey to account to the core European values inherent in the accession process.

Official Apology

Questions (358)

Clare Daly

Question:

358. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade why a Minister retracted an apology on 27 November 2007 which had been given by a Minister on 9 August 2004 (details supplied); if the apology originally given should stand, given that the Ombudsman has retracted a citing against a person; and if he will correct the record of Dáil Éireann on this matter through the Joint Committee on Public Oversight and Petitions or through the Ombudsman. [15988/16]

Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

The Deputy’s Question refers to an individual who sought compensation for alleged mishandling of a recruitment process by the Agency for Personal Service Overseas (APSO) in 1997. APSO was a limited company which was wound up in 2004.

This matter has been the subject of previous correspondence and representations with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. My Department has been in communication with the individual most recently in July 2014.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has dealt with this matter as sympathetically as possible, based on the fullest consideration of the facts, since the functions of APSO were taken over by the Department in 2004. Liability has been denied by the Department. I am not in a position to enter into any further detail on the matter.

Departmental Funding

Questions (359)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

359. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if a reprint publication is eligible for funding (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16049/16]

Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

My Department does not have a funding stream that would cover the reprinting of this publication.

Foreshore Issues

Questions (360)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

360. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding a plot of land; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15495/16]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform

I am advised by the Commissioners of Public Works in Ireland that they are not the owners of the piece of land in question.

The Department of Housing Planning and Local Government has responsibility for foreshore and may be able to provide assistance.

Stability Programme Data

Questions (361)

Pearse Doherty

Question:

361. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the steps he will take to ensure that medium-term projections such as those in the stability programme update do not understate likely future expenditure pressures, such as public pay increases or inflation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15736/16]

Written answers

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform

The fiscal forecasts in the Stability Programme Update for the period 2017 to 2021 were set out on a technical, no-policy change basis, consistent with the approach adopted in the Budget 2016 book published by the Department of Finance in October last year.

The amounts included in both the Budget 2016 book and the April 2016 Stability Programme Update in respect of voted expenditure were guided by the Ministerial Expenditure Ceilings for the period to 2018 published in the Expenditure Report 2016. These ceilings took into account certain of the key non-discretionary drivers of expenditure including: projected expenditure pressures in Health, Education and Social Protection arising from demographics; and the projected carry over impact of certain Budget 2016 measures including additional pay costs arising under the Lansdowne Road Agreement. The expenditure ceilings also reflected agreed policy in relation to the multi-annual capital investment framework as set out in the Public Capital Plan. The expenditure ceilings do not take into account the impact of general inflationary increases.

An effective public expenditure framework has several key elements in addition to multi-annual ceilings including:

- Regular Comprehensive Reviews of Expenditure that take into account whether or not the programmes are delivering, changes in government priorities, and proposals for new expenditure programmes

- Reviews of expenditure programmes being informed by relevant evaluations of the effectiveness and efficiency of programmes utilising the Public Spending Code and the Irish Government Economic and Evaluation Service;

- Performance Budgeting with a focus on the impact of public services;

- Greater engagement with the Oireachtas in reviewing the expenditure challenges and priorities.

The Summer Economic Statement (SES) to be published this month will provide an updated assessment of the macro-economic and fiscal prospects, including the medium-term fiscal framework.  The proposed Mid-Year Expenditure Report to be published in July will also inform expenditure priorities and challenges in advance of Budget 2017.

In looking at medium term expenditure projections, it is appropriate to utilise all elements of the public expenditure framework to ensure that the available resources are directed to effectively deliver key social and economic priorities. This must be enabled through a continuing emphasis on value-for-money and effectiveness, enabled by public service reforms and the focus on outputs provided by performance budgeting initiative.

Office of Public Works Staff

Questions (362)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

362. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will reinstate the critically important role of dedicated manager at Ionad an Bhlascaoid, Dún Chaoin, Contae Chiarraí given its national importance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15330/16]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform

A new supervisory position of Foreman was filled in June 2015. Staffing at the site will be kept under review in the context of overall staffing requirements within the Office of Public Works.

Departmental Expenditure

Questions (363)

Clare Daly

Question:

363. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the amount his Department spent on purchasing copies of the Public Sector Times magazine in 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15421/16]

Written answers

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform

In response to the Deputy's question the Public Sector Times Magazine is freely distributed to all departments so no costs were incurred.

Departmental Expenditure

Questions (364)

Clare Daly

Question:

364. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the amount spent on daily newspapers in 2015; if this is an appropriate expenditure given the available and far cheaper online alternatives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15437/16]

Written answers

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform

In response to the Deputy's question my Department spent €22,379 on daily and weekend newspapers in 2015.  There are online subscriptions to the Irish Times and the Financial Times.

With over 1,100 staff members in my Department a combination of physical copies and online subscriptions is currently considered appropriate and every effort is made to minimise costs where possible.

Departmental Staff Data

Questions (365, 367)

Clare Daly

Question:

365. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of staff working in his human resources section. [15453/16]

Clare Daly

Question:

367. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the changes in the numbers employed in his human resources section following the introduction of PeoplePoint. [15485/16]

Written answers

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform

I propose to take Questions Nos. 365 and 367 together.

The number of staff working in the Human Resources section of my Department is 20.8. The HR staffing number is reflective of my Department's mission to, inter alia, deliver the Government's Public Service Reform Plan.  The introduction of PeoplePoint in 2013 was accompanied by the establishment of the National Shared Services Office (NSSO) in 2014 on an administrative basis within my Department and the Office of Government Procurement (OGP) which commenced operating as an office of my Department in early 2014.

The establishment of the NSSO and the OGP are key elements of the Government's Public Service Reform Programme, aimed at delivering maximum benefit in the use of public funds. The Human Resources Section is delivering a range of HR supports across  the various disciplines of organisation development, workforce planning, employee relations, performance management and learning and development to these functional offices as well as the other functional areas of my Department which now operates across 9 geographic centres across the country.

Ministerial Staff

Questions (366)

Clare Daly

Question:

366. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of staff who work exclusively on constituency matters for him. [15469/16]

Written answers

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform

On the commencement of each Dáil, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (DPER) issues guidelines setting out the arrangements for the staffing of Ministerial Offices including the permitted staffing levels in the private and constituency offices of Ministers and Ministers of State.  These guidelines are expected to be approved by Government shortly.

Question No. 367 answered with Question No. 365.

Departmental Correspondence

Questions (368)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

368. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding a site; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15489/16]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (Deputy Seán Canney)

The OPW provides a guide service at six sites in County Kerry, Skellig Michael, Ardfert Cathedral, Listowel Castle, Ross Castle, Derrynane House and the Great Blasket Centre and has committed, and continues to commit, significant resources to these sites.

A key-holding arrangement is in place at Carrigafoyle Castle, Co. Kerry and this year access for the public is being facilitated from 1 May to 30 September. It is not considered advisable to extend opening times because of the Health and Safety risk at this unattended site, as underfoot conditions would, in all probability, be significantly compromised by the greater likelihood of poor weather and low light levels outside the summer period.

The site is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily from May to September and visitors have access to all areas of the Castle without restriction. It is considered that this will adequately facilitate any summer and early autumn visitors who wish to visit the site.

EU Directives

Questions (369)

Niall Collins

Question:

369. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he has incorporated all elements of the public authorities contracts directive, 2014/24/EU, and the utilities directive, 2014/25/EU, regarding economic, social and environmental well-being and public service contracts put out to tender, in recent statutory instruments on 5 May 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15499/16]

Written answers

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform

The two Directives referred to by the Deputy have been transposed into national law by way of the following Statutory Instruments:

- S.I. 284 of 2016 European Union (Award of Public Authority Contracts) Regulations 2016

- S.I. 286 of 2016 - European Union (Award of Contracts by Utility Undertakings) Regulations 2016

The provisions of these Regulations are effective from 18 April 2016.

Under Regulation 18(4) of the Public Authority Contracts Regulations 2016 and Regulation 35(4) of Award of Contracts by Utility Undertakings Regulations 2016, economic operators delivering public contracts are required to comply with all applicable obligations in the fields of environmental, social and labour law that apply where the works are executed or the services are provided in compliance with European Union, national law or relevant international environmental, social and labour law provisions.  Furthermore, the Regulations require contracting authorities to ensure that these obligations are complied with in public contracts.

Office of Public Works Projects

Questions (370)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

370. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform to extend the existing cover way on Sceilig Mhichíl, Contae Chiarraí to protect walkers from falling stones as a precautionary measure, given the potential risk of further rock falls; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15541/16]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (Deputy Seán Canney)

On foot of a full technical analysis in recent weeks it has been decided to extend the existing canopy onto the area in question. In the meanwhile the Office of Public Works (OPW) staff have erected stout netting to catch any material coming down.

Archaeological excavations will need to be undertaken along the inside of the lighthouse wall to anchor the structure. The full documentation for these works, including a Natura Impact Statement and Method Statements for both the archaeology and the works has been prepared and will shortly be submitted to the Department of Regional Development, Rural Affairs, Arts & the Gaeltacht for consent.

Once consent is obtained, the OPW will commence the work. In the meanwhile the necessary materials are being organised and transported to the island. This will be undertaken while keeping the island open to visitors. For reasons of safety the works cannot be undertaken, while visitors are on the island given that they pass through this area, so the works will be undertaken early morning and late afternoon/early evening.