asked the Taoiseach when the Government hope to complete negotiations for the acquisition of the major portion of the Great Blasket Island, in view of the recent offer for sale made by the owner.
6.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Great Blasket Island.
5.
asked the Taoiseach if the owner of the major part of the Great Blasket Island has approached the Government in relation to the possible purchase of the island by the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
7.
asked the Taoiseach if his attention has been drawn to the fact that an offer has been made which would enable the State to acquire a large part of the Great Blasket Island for a nominal sum; and the action the Government will take to acquire this property which has important cultural and historic links.
Tá i gceist agam, a Cheann Comhairle, Ceisteanna Uimh. 5, 6 agus 7 a thógáil le chéile.
Is eol dom go raibh tuairiscí sna nuachtáin le déanaí maidir le tairiscint ón Uasal Michael Taylor Collings chun fáil réidh lena bhfuil de mhaoin aige sa Bhlascaod Mór. Ba mhaith an rud é dá bhféadfadh Fundúireacht an Bhlascaoid an mhaoin sin a ghlacadh.
Tá rud níos tábháchtaí, áfach, ná teideal dlíthiúil don chuid seo ná d'aon chuid eile den oileán: sé sin, go gcaomhnófar é mar áit a bhfuil áilleacht mór aiceanta ag baint léi agus mar áit oilithreachta dóibh siúd uile a bhfuil dúil acu ina cuid traidisiúin liteartha agus béaloideasa agus, go háirithe, go gcumhdófar na tithe a bhfuil ceangal acu le scríbhneoirí cáiliúla an oileáin, Tomás Ó Criomhthain, Peig Sayers agus Muiris Ó Súilleabháin.
Chun na críche sin, tá i gceist agam na céimeanna go léir is gá a ghlacadh d'fhonn a chinntiú go mbainfidh na heagrais Stáit go léir a bhfuil baint acu leis an scéal, agus an t-údarás áitiúil, lánúsáid as na cumhachtaí atá ar fáil dóibh chun cosc a chur le haon fhorbairt mhíshásúil, nó le haon cur isteach eile nach mbeadh inghlactha, ar thaitneamhachtaí an oileáin.
I propose, a Cheann Comhairle, to take Questions Nos. 5, 6 and 7 together.
I am aware of recent press reports of the offer by Mr. Michael Taylor Collings to dispose of his interest in the Great Blasket Island. It would be appropriate if the Blasket Island Foundation could acquire this interest.
What is more important, however, than the legal title to this or any other part of the island is its preservation as a place of great natural beauty and of pilgrimage for all who cherish its unique literary and oral traditions and that in particular the houses associated with the island's celebrated writers, Tomás Ó Criomhthain, Peig Sayers, and Muiris Ó Súilleabháin be protected.
For this purpose I intend to take all necessary steps to ensure that all the Government agencies concerned and the local authority make full and active use of the powers at their disposal to prevent any undesirable development or any kind of unacceptable interference with the amenities on the island.
I accept the general tenor of the Taoiseach's response. I think he accepts that the islands and particularly the Blasket Islands are of such importance from the point of view of our culture and heritage that no undesirable development should take place there and I am sure that that matter will be attended to. Are the Government prepared to intervene in the possible purchase of this island? I am aware that the offer has been made for a reasonable amount of money. It strikes me that in relation to the preservation of our heritage the sum of money asked for — which I am sure can be reduced further — is reasonable and that the individual in question is not seeking to make any enormous profit on his investment. Are the Government prepared to provide the finance necessary if either a local authority or a local organisation are prepared to purchase and look after the island in future?
I know the Deputy is personally very interested in this issue. I would like to suggest to him that perhaps the best way of dealing with the matter at this stage is to leave it in the hands of the fundúireacht to deal with. I am not sure that the legal position is crystal clear. Furthermore, I would like to repeat to the Deputy I am certain that what is far more important than the legal title to any specific part of the island is that the amenities and the beauty of the island be preserved by rigorous application of powers which reside in the various Government agencies and in the local authority.