INISHMURRAY UPDATE
THERE’S no early resolution in sight for the boat owners who have been told they face prosecution if they land on Innishmurray island.
Boat owners have received letters from the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport warning that the
Marine Survey Office does not allow plying consent to the island due to “concerns for safety during embarking and disembarking at the island.”
The department has warned boat owners who provide regular trips for visitors that until suitable landing facilities were in place this practice must cease “with immediate effect or the Marine Survey Office will have no alternative but to prosecute the vessel owner.”
The department stated that it was aware the boat owners were advertising trips to the island. Last week’s council meeting adopted a motion from Cllr Declan Bree calling on Transport Minister Shane Ross to provide mooring facilities at the island.
The matter was taken up by Independent Alliance Councillor Marie Casserly who made contact with the Minister asking him to “support us in any way possible to develop appropriate landing facilities on Inismurray island.”
“This island is hugely important to previous residents who, along with the local authority, are still owners of the land. This island boasts one of the oldest monastic settlements in Europe, and is maintained by a group of local volunteers.
“Sligo County Council, in partnership with Sligo Tourism have recently launched an ambitious five year tourism strategy, which includes developing and promoting all of our natural amenities.
In reply, Minister Ross said he was passing the matter on to his colleague, Minister Eoghan Murphy who is responsible for Housing, Planning and Local Government.
“As you know, my role in this regard, as Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, is to ensure, inso- far as possible, the safety of passengers travelling by boat.
“As far back as 2008, officials of the Marine Survey Office, which is a part of my Department, carried out an assessment of the landing facilities at Inismurray Island. They deemed the “recognised landing” on the Island to be wholly unsuitable for landing passengers. As a consequence, no passenger licences have been issued which include Inismurray on their plying limits. The Officers recommended that no such licences be issued until such time as the appropriate landing facility has been provided.
“The provision of an appropriate landing facility would be a matter for the owner of the property on which it is proposed to construct the facility and/ or the appropriate local authority – in this case, presumably, Sligo County Council.
“Of course, as Minister for Tourism, I am acutely conscious of the importance of the island to local tourism and the ambition of Sligo County Council, in concert with Sligo Tourism to develop and promote local, natural amenities.
“As a matter of urgency I am, therefore, forwarding your correspondence to my colleague, Minister Eoghan Murphy, with a request that he look into the matter. When an appropriate landing facility has been provided, officials of the Marine Survey Office will assess it, and any passenger vessel proposing to use the facility, with a view to granting the appropriate licence.”