‘Systemic de-prioritisation’ - Tory islanders demand Minister comes to visit

Tory residents have formally called for Minister Dara Calleary to travel to the island aboard the Queen of Aran and meet directly with the island community in a public, town hall-style setting.

Seven years after a community-backed agreement promised a new ferry and upgraded pier, Tory Island remains in limbo, with no ferry delivered, no infrastructure work begun, and no clear timeline from the government.

“I'm writing as a concerned Islander to highlight the unacceptable stagnation of the ferry and pier project promised in 2018 - and to formally call for Minister Dara Calleary [Minister for Social Protection and Minister for Rural and Community Development] to travel to Tory island aboard the Queen of Aran and meet directly with the island community in a public, town hall-style setting,” John Paul Rodgers writes on behalf of the islanders.

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The saga began in February 2018 when the Department of the Gaeltacht awarded the island’s ferry contract to Queen of Aran, operated by Réalt na Maidne Teoranta, which was followed by protests outside Leinster House. Project Ireland 2040 pledged improved pier infrastructure and a new ferry for Oileán Thoraí and Pól Ó Gallchóir, former TG4 Director General, to mediate the dispute, was appointed.

A mediated agreement had been reached. Comharchumann Thoraí, the island’s cooperative, endorsed the solution, and a community vote saw 215 ballots cast from a population of around 100 adults. The agreement promised not only a custom-built ferry but also substantial investment in the island’s pier. A steering committee - Coiste Bhád Úr Thoraí - was to be formed to oversee the work, comprising representatives from the island community, the Department of the Gaeltacht and Islands, and Donegal County Council.

Investigative reporting by TG4’s 7 LÁ programme in April 2025 revealed that the steering committee was never formally established. Funding of €101,844 allocated in 2022 by the Department of Rural and Community Development for a pier feasibility study remains untouched. The study never began. No deadlines were ever set, the required government appraisal process is stalled, and Donegal County Council has cited staffing shortages as the reason for inaction.

“The frustration reached the Dáil in May 2025, when Sinn Féin TD Pearse Doherty condemned the seven-year delay and pressed Minister for the Gaeltacht Dara Calleary for answers. Doherty called on the Minister to visit Tory Island and meet the community face-to-face.

“The 2018 proposals committed to forming Coiste Bhád Úr Thoraí, a steering committee including Comharchumann Thoraí, Department of the Gaeltacht & Islands, and. Donegal County Council,” the statement continues. “Its purpose was to oversee the ferry build and pier upgrade. According to FOI records obtained by 7 LÁ no committee was ever formally established, €101,844 remains undrawn, the feasibility study never started, no project deadline exists and DPER (Department of Public Expenditure and Reform) appraisal was stalled and Donegal County Council cited ‘staffing issues’ and confirmed no follow-up. This isn’t normal delay - it’s systemic de-prioritisation.

“By campaigning for the mediated agreement, Comharchumann Thoraí assumed a public mandate. Yet since then, there has been no leadership, no accountability, no community updates, no pressure applied to state agencies. Their silence has directly enabled this stagnation.

“Only Deputy Pearse Doherty has consistently raised this issue nationally. On 22 May 2025, he asked the Minister to visit the island and engage with the community. Minister Calleary responded: “I have far greater belief in getting to see something for myself and engaging with the community on the ground … as I will do over the summer.’ Yet no date or plan has been confirmed.

“We are now publicly calling on Minister Calleary to travel to Tory Island aboard the Queen of Aran ferry; engage in a public, open town hall forum with the community, clarify timelines for both the ferry and pier delivery.

“Closed-door meetings with select ‘representatives’ are not enough. The people of Tory Island have waited seven years for delivery on a promise backed by public vote and ministerial commitment. Let the Minister face the same journey. Let him see the pier. Let him listen to the community directly. Anything less is just another delay.”