Two airstrips built on the west coast at a cost to the taxpayer of almost €9m have never been used, the Public Accounts Committee has heard.
Built between 2005 and 2009 in Cleggan, near Clifden, and on the Island of Inishbofin, the aim of the airstrips was to develop island communities.
The Secretary General of the Department of Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht confirmed to committee members that there was a maintenance cost of €300,000 in 2014.
However, he later clarified that that money also included the maintenance costs for landing strips on the Aran Islands.
Joe Hammill said there was also "an idea" of an air strip on Tory Island.
He said the department was in discussions with the Coast Guard to create a depot for the Emergency Service at the Cleggan airstrip.
Mr Hammill confirmed that a helipad will be provided on Tory Island for emergency services.
He acknowledged that spending €9m on the two airstrips was "not a good story to tell".
However, he pointed out that the plan to develop island transport infrastructure was devised in 2003.
"In that context, it was a very different time", he said, in response to Fine Gael TD Gabrielle McFadden.
Ms McFadden suggested that if it was a private company there would have been a feasibility study done.
She surmised that €9m was spent "because it was there", adding that it was "outrageous".
