Sinn Féin Councillor John Sheamais Ó Fearraigh has called on both the Minister of State for the Gaeltacht and Donegal County Council to carry out thorough inspections of the Helipad on Tory Island.
This call comes amid growing concerns over the standard of the works carried out at the newly built site. Cllr Ó Fearraigh was speaking during yesterday’s (Tuesday) Council island meeting where he urged council officials not to sign off on the project until the works had been approved.
Cllr Ó Fearraigh said: “As everyone knows, a helipad on Tory Island has been eagerly awaited for some time now and such a structure can act as a vital piece of infrastructure which can benefit islanders and visitors to Tory alike.
“The confirmation that the project had been given the green light was very much welcomed when it was first announced and much of the credit for this must go to the island’s hard working Co-op group whose members are so committed to delivering investment and improving conditions on Tory for the local community.
“However, concerns have been raised surrounding the standard and quality of the helipad which was only constructed over the last number of months and hasn’t even been officially opened yet.
“In fact, reports suggest that on the very few occasions that the pad has been used, bystanders have been forced to flee the site due to loose chippings on its surface becoming airborne as aircraft land and take-off, something which suggests that the surface is unsuitable.
“Having examined the structure myself only a few days’ ago, I saw for myself that the surface is such that weeds and grass are starting to become visible growing up through it.
“Even more worryingly is the fact that the lights which have been installed on the pad do not work properly, are partially filled with rain water and – in some instances – can actually be physically lifted out of the ground with little to no effort.
“I have asked my colleague Deputy Pearse Doherty to write to Minister Seán Kyne and Donegal Council Council and to urge both parties to inspect the site before agreeing to formally sign off on the work which has been done.
“I understand that the Minister has replied to say that officials in the Department have now been tasked to go away and look into this matter and that a further update will be provided shortly.
“I am very mindful that the project is an important one for the island, but the facility must be fit for purpose otherwise it will become a white elephant and nobody, least of all the people of Tory, want that.
“And having said that I cannot praise the work of the Co-op more highly for all that they do to enhance the island, and I very much look forward to continuing to work closely alongside them on this and other issues in future.”
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