Inishmurray tourist access
Deputy McLoughlin raised a closure of Inishmurray to tourists after a Marine Survey Office decision, and Deputy Scanlon added local and livelihood concerns. The Minister of State said his Department was examining how to help resolve the issue and would visit the site.
The programme for Government contains specific recommendations to grow tourism nationwide, in particular along the Wild Atlantic Way. However, I highlight for the Tánaiste and the Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Brendan Griffin, a situation in County Sligo where a flawed health and safety decision by the Marine Survey Office has led to the closure of Inishmurray to tourists seeking to visit the historical site on the island. Several skippers from Sligo have tours booked throughout the summer. It is vitally important, therefore, that access be reinstated. I ask the Minister of State to visit the site at his earliest convenience to see at first hand the problems being experienced. I also ask him to respond on the issue.
Comment on this
Like Deputy Tony McLoughlin, I have been contacted by people about this issue. A constituent of mine invested €200,000 in a boat to ferry people to the island. There has never been an accident in the course of tourists visiting the island, nor has anybody been hurt. The landing area on Inishmurray is safer than that on Skellig Michael. It is wrong that people are being prevented from earning a living and that tourists cannot visit the island. Many American tourists whose families used to live on the island visit it while on holidays.
Comment on this
The question is about the Marine Survey Office of the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport. The Tánaiste has asked the Minister of State, Deputy Brendan Griffin, to respond.
Comment on this
I thank Deputies Tony McLoughlin and Eamon Scanlon for raising the issue. I am aware of it and although the specific matters raised are ones for agencies outside the control of my Department, the ramifications for the tourism industry in the area are pertinent. My Department is looking into the issue to see how it can help to resolve it. I appreciate the importance of the attraction to the tourism industry in County Sligo. I will visit the location as soon as possible to see for myself the situation on the ground and how the issue can be resolved.