An award-winning construction company has been making travel to and from an isolated Aran Island safer and easier.

SIAC won the Irish Concrete Society's 2008 Infrastructural and Overall Award for Excellence for their sheltered harbour project on Inis Meáin in the Aran Islands, a community which is now pressing ahead with further developments.

The Minister of State Tony Killeen has welcomed the allocation of €60,600 by the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs towards safety works at the main pier on the island.

The North Clare Fianna Fail T.D. commented: "The works at Cé an Chalaidh Mhóir include the installation of fenders, lighting, stairs and a railing along the edge of the pier.

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"These works, once completed, will greatly enhance the safety of this pier for both islanders and visitors alike."

The Minister noted that the pier has already been the subject of significant government investment in recent years.

He explained: "The works already carried out on this important piece of infrastructure include the dredging of a new berthing pool, the construction of a new pier, on-shore and off-shore break water, access road and parking facilities and the development of the harbour itself.

"The cost of the development came to almost €14m," he said.

"The safety works scheduled to take place at Inis Meáin pier will have a hugely positive impact on the livelihoods of fishermen from the island, North Clare, Galway and the other Aran Islands.

"Furthermore, the works will ensure safer conditions for boat passengers travelling to and from Doolin, Rós a Mhíl and the two other islands," he concluded.

(BMcC/KMcA)