Severe Weather Events Response

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 4 November 2014

Tuesday, 4 November 2014

Ceisteanna (1144)

Dara Calleary

Ceist:

1144. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her views on whether it was fair not to establish a compensation scheme for island residents who had their boats destroyed in last January's unprecedented storms and poor weather conditions; if she agrees that for some island residents these boats are their only mode of transport; if she will instruct officials in her Department to introduce a scheme of compensation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41288/14]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

I wish to refer the Deputy to the reply to Parliamentary Question No. 395 of 21 January 2014 in relation to this matter. At that time, my predecessor indicated that he had been in contact with the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government and the Minister of State at the OPW with regard to damage done to island infrastructure as a result of the winter storms. I wish to inform the Deputy that there are currently no plans in my Department to put in place a scheme of compensation for islanders who may have lost boats due to the bad weather.