Ross told Innishmurray is his problem to sort
Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport., Shane Ross has been told that the onus is on him to provide a landing facility on Inishmurray Island.
The matter arose at a meeting of Sligo Municipal District where Councillor Tom MacSharry asked the council to immediately begin surveying the existing landing facilities on the island and undertake the necessary improvements to the satisfaction of the Marine Survey Office with support on funding from the Department of Transport, Marine and Environment.
Earlier this year, boat owners were warned they faced prosecution if they continued to organise trips to the historic island off the Sligo coast.
In a letter sent by the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, boat owners were warned 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.”
In response to Cllr MacSharry’s motion, Senior Executive Engineer, Brian Flynn stated the provision of new landing facilities would be a major undertaking and provision of same at this remote location might not prove practical or feasible.
He said however, that the council, in conjunction with the Marine Survey Office, explore the improvement of safety at the existing landing area with a view to allowing the commencement of landings again.
Cllr Declan Bree said when he raised this matter at the April Council meeting he pointed out that for 1,500 years inhabitants of Inishmurray island and people visiting the island embarked and disembarked at the natural harbours at the island, particularly at Clashymore.
“In days gone by horses, sheep and cattle and much more were transported to and from the natural harbours on the island.
“To my knowledge, in living memory there has never been any type of serious injury to anyone while embarking or disembarking at the natural harbour on the island.
“In this context I am still at a loss to understand why Minister Shane Ross and his Department are insisting that passenger boats will not be allowed visit the island until suitable landing facilities are in place.
“While I understand that Cllr MacSharry, in moving this motion is doing so for the best of motives, in my view it is Minister Ross’s department which should be bringing forward proposals and providing necessary resources, to resolve matters
“This Council never had any difficulty or problem with passenger boats travelling to the island.
“I believe there is now an onus on the Department and on Minister Ross to provide as a matter of urgency, a landing facility which they consider suitable,” said Cllr Bree.
He dismissed any suggestion that a floating pontoon might provide a solution saying under no circumstances could such a facility be left there all year round.
It was the wild Atlantic afterall, he said, adding that it would be impossible to use.
“The matter should be left to Minister |Ross and his Department. Let them come forward with proposals,” said Cllr Bree.
Agreeing, Cllr Thomas Healy said the onus should be on Minister Ross and not being placed on the council.
Cllr MacSharry said it was his information was that the Minister was saying it was the responsibility of the council and the matter needed clarifying.
Cllr Marie Casserly began reading from what she said was a 2008 document regarding planning which led to confusionin the chamber with the Mayor, Cllr Rosaleen O’Grady, Cllr Bree, Cllr Healy and Cllr Hubert Keaney wondering if she was referring to an application for building on the island.
Senior Planner Frank Moylan was asked for his opinion in the matter by the Mayor and he stated that he was not aware of any planning application for the island.
The Mayor asked Cllr Casserly to circulate the report she had to the members.
Cllr MacSharry said that the issue on who was responsible for funding a landing facility needed to be clarified and he deferred his motion to the September monthly meeting.