Inismurray pier idea ‘nonsensical’ - official

TWO Government suggestions about Inismurray landing facilities were “nonsensical” according to a senior Council official.

The Government is pushing responsibility onto the Council to resolve the lack of landing facilities, yet at the same time, won’t guarantee they will approve whatever measures the Council takes.

Boat operators in North Sligo were banned from taking passenger tours out to the island last Spring by the Marine Survey Office because of what they claim is a lack of landing facilities.

At this month’s meeting of Sligo Municipal District, Fianna Fáil Councillor Tom MacSharry urged the Council to make a start on any improvement works on Inishmurray “as a matter of urgency”.

However Director of Services Tom Kilfeather said there had been a “very concerted effort at Department level to say that this is Sligo County Council’s problem to solve and the Council needed to build a pier or a floating pontoon.”

“From both a technical and financial point of view, both suggestions are nonsensical,” said Kilfeather.

He told members that the Council took the lead and is suggesting installing a number of vertical ladders, handrails and a larger flat ‘step off point’ onto the natural rock face might be a practical solution to a problem “not of the Council’s making.”

This could cost ¤40,000-¤50,000 and the Council would have to seek funding for it.

The only problem is that the Department said that if improvement works are carried out, they “may” reassess the situation.

Independent Cllr Declan Bree said “the buck stops with Minister Shane Ross.”

Cllr MacSharry said the issue “has to be sorted out before the next tourist season.” He urged members of the Government parties - Cllrs Marie Casserly, Hubert Keaney and Sinead Maguire - to “push their ministers”. Cllr Rosaleen proposed seeking a deputation with Minister Ross.