Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 26 October 2023
35. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform his further plans for An Blascaod Mór; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46989/23]
View answerThe conservation and protection of An Blascaod Mór continues to be of great importance to the OPW. Visitor access to the island has now ended for the 2023 season, and the OPW's focus is on preparing for the 2024 season.
OPW reached an agreement with a local landowner to provide toilet facilities for visitors for the 2023 season. This facility, which also includes an indoor shelter for visitors, was in place for the entirety of the 2023 season. Work on progressing permanent welfare facilities for visitors is also underway; a design team was appointed for this in early August 2023.
An Blascaod Mór has a rich biodiversity and wildlife presence. The OPW completed a biodiversity baseline study in early 2023. This study provides valuable data on the habitats and species present on the island, and also in the lands surrounding the Blasket Centre. This study will guide the OPW's work to ensure that biodiversity on the Island is protected. A copy can be made available to the Deputy on request.
Most visitors to the An Blascaod Mór take great care not to cause any damage to the biodiversity or the heritage buildings on the Island. In the 2023 season, OPW arranged for a leaflet to be distributed to visitors, explaining how to protect the wildlife and heritage on the island. This leaflet was been provided to the boat operators to share with visitors before they arrive on the island, To minimise any potential environmental impact of providing this extra information to ensure the ongoing conservation of the Island, the leaflet was printed on biodegradable paper.
Tenders were invited for a new Conservation Management Plan (CMP) for the island in April 2023, and a team to deliver this was appointed, led by Molloy and Associates Conservation Architects. This plan will consider the elements of conservation, heritage protection, archaeology, transport planning, marine biology and environmental ecology in relation to the Island. Work by the interdisciplinary team has begun, and it is hoped that an initial draft will be available in Q1 2024.
The plan will include a comprehensive inventory of the built and natural heritage of the Island. It will acknowledge the Island’s status as a Special Area of Conservation and a Natura 2000 site and its unique role in Irish cultural heritage.
The OPW continues to plan for improved landing facilities on the Island. This would allow boats to land passengers directly rather than requiring a transfer at sea to a RIB. Landing facilities are an essential element of the sustainable management of the island.
Planning permission for a pier was previously granted in 2003. However, Kerry County Council have advised that is necessary to secure fresh planning permission. This is because there have been significant changes in the designated status of the island. Environmental regulations have also changed in the period since the original permission was granted.
This will need new environmental and other reports to support such a planning application. A detailed solution for the design of these landing facilities is also required. The OPW has recently contacted relevant stakeholders. A senior officials group has been convened to progress this objective, and they will continue to meet during the island's seasonal closure. The consultants appointed to provide expert advice on ecological and planning issues related to the landing facilities have begun work, and have highlighted the need to foreground the protection of the island as the goal of providing safer landing facilities is progressed.
Ionad an Bhlascaod reopened to visitors following a landmark refurbishment and reimagining in June 2022. The Ionad is now approaching the end of its second operational season since reopening, and has been a venue for a number of major cultural events, including the Dingle Literary Festival and a broadcast of Other Voices on RTE. The Ionad has also hosted visual art exhibitions and film screenings. The highlight of the cultural programme this year has been Ceiliúradh an Bhlascaoid, an annual three-day gathering and symposium focusing on the history and heritage of the Blasket islands. I was delighted to welcome An Taoiseach to the Ceiliúradh this September, as the first sitting Taoiseach to attend since the inaugural gathering in 1996.
An Taoiseach and I were able to visit the island in September and I look forward to making the journey again when access to the island resumes.
