Two of the three Aran Islands had new piers, built at a total cost of £4.7 million, officially opened yesterday. The facilities on Inis Meain and Inis Oirr will facilitate greater economic development, particularly in tourism, the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht, Mr Higgins, predicted.
The developments would ensure easier and safer access to the islands for those doing business there and for tourists visiting the islands, he added. The work was supported by EU structural grants.
The Minister also announced an £80,000 grant towards the cost of an extension to the community hall on Inis Meain and an allocation of £110,000 to build an additional slipway to be attached to the new pier on Inis Oirr.