As the Deputy is aware, Galway County Council is the responsible authority for the maintenance and development of pier infrastructure on the Aran islands.
The development of the pier on Inis Oírr is listed amongst the strategic objectives set out in Project Ireland 2040. A steering committee consisting of representatives from my Department, Galway County Council and the Consulting Engineers has been meeting regularly to monitor progress.
I understand that Galway County Council submitted a pre-application, with supporting documents, for a foreshore licence in July 2021. They subsequently held a meeting with the Foreshore Unit in the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, where they were advised that the environmental reports they had submitted needed updating and additional reports were needed.
Further to that meeting, Galway County Council sought quotations from environmental consultancies to carry out a Gap Analysis Study. This was to review the environmental information available and to compile recommendations for the extent of further studies required which would form a part of the supporting materials for the Foreshore Licence.
The Gap Analysis study has now been completed and was submitted to my Department recently. The consultancy firm are compiling a list of required works that will need to be undertaken to update the environmental reports to the required standard. Additionally, Galway County Council is in regular contact with the Foreshore Unit of the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government and they have agreed to assist the local authority with mapping the area where the licence will apply.
