asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is yet in a position to state whether a suitable transport service has been arranged for the Aran Islands.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Aran Islands Transport.
I am not at present in a position to add anything to the answer which I gave in Dáil Éireann to the Deputy's similar question on 28th June last, but I hope that satisfactory arrangements will shortly be concluded for the future operation of the Galway-Aran service by Córas Iompair Éireann.
I should like to know if this House looks on the people of the Aran Islands as inhabitants of Devil's Island or of a lepers' colony. For a long time past those people have been cut off from the mainland except for a once a week service from Galway provided by the Dún Aengus. Now, those people are entitled——
Does the Deputy realise that he is making a speech?
Might I ask the Parliamentary Secretary are these people entitled to get their mails and to be allowed to visit Galway for shopping purposes daily the same as every other person? Will he consider this suggestion which I now make—that a motor boat service be supplied daily between the Aran Islands and Rosaveel so that the people from the Aran Islands can connect with the bus service from Rosaveel to Galway and thus get their mails and at the same time be in a position to do their shopping in Galway? He need not wait for any further communication from the Galway Steamship Company or Córas Iompair Éireann if he puts that into operation.
If the Deputy will use his influence with the directors of the Galway-Aran service it may be possible to expedite the arrangement which I have mentioned.
They are trying to get Córas Iompair Éireann to take it over.