Rural Affairs Minister Éamon Ó Cuív joined Minister for Natural Resources Eamon Ryan to officially open the new Cé an Chalaidh Mhóir harbour earlier this month.

The environmentally sustainable harbour is expected to improve local transport access as well as promoting business and tourism links.

Fourteen million euros was spent on the development, which included work such as dredging, the construction of a break-water, parking facilities and the development of the harbour itself.

The harbour was funded under the Islands Sub-Programme of the National Development Plan. The programme provides for investment in island infrastructure and services and is funding other major pier projects including those at Cill Ronáin and Inis Oírr on the Aran Islands, Ros a Mhíl in Co.Galway, Inis Bigilin Co. Mayo and Reannaigh in Co. Donegal.

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At the opening of the harbour, Minister Ó Cuív said that he was proud to officially open the facility for the community.

"I am very confident that the construction of this new harbour will help strengthen economic opportunities for the island’s community. As Minister with particular responsibilities for island development, I am very pleased that this big step for the development of Inis Meáin has been achieved," the Minister said.

"The construction of the new pier on Inis Mór, Árann, is also progressing."

Minister Ó Cuív also thanked everybody who was involved in the development, the island community, Galway County Council and Departmental staff.

(PR/JM)