asked the Minister for Finance if he will state if the survey carried out by engineers of the Office of Public Works in connection with a deep-sea port for Donegal has been completed; and, if so, what are the results of such survey and what action he proposes to take in the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Donegal Port Survey.
Surveys at Burtonport, Killybegs and Letterkenny have been completed by the Commissioners of Public Works. The commissioners are now preparing, for submission to the Minister for Industry and Commerce, designs, plans and estimates of cost of possible improvement or development schemes. Pending completion and consideration of such designs, plans and estimates it is not possible to say what action may be taken in these matters.
Arising out of the Parliamentary Secretary's reply, would he be good enough to inform the House and, incidentally, the people of Donegal, how long consideration of these plans and designs has been going on, and what is the maximum tonnage of the ships for which it is intended to design these ports?
The Parliamentary Secretary has given to the House all the information that he can at this moment give.
I trust the Parliamentary Secretary is aware that the people of Donegal were told 15 years ago that a port was to be provided in Donegal to accommodate transatlantic liners. I would be glad to know the size of the ships that it is now proposed to accommodate in the deep-sea port proposed by Deputy Blaney.
I am not aware what the people of Donegal were told 15 years ago, but I am now telling the Deputy what I know.
The memory of Fianna Fáil is proverbially short.