asked the Minister for Transport and Power if he is aware of the need for the development of Wexford Harbour; and, if so, if he will be prepared to give generous aid for this purpose to meet any local proposals submitted to him by the Harbour Commissioners.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Wexford Harbour.
4.
The operation and development of Wexford Harbour is the statutory responsibility of Wexford Harbour Commissioners.
The harbour has been closed to commercial traffic for the past five years because of heavy siltation on the bar and in the channel despite earlier substantial dredging with the aid of a large State grant.
A number of schemes for reopening the harbour to commercial traffic have been examined but have been found technically to be unsound and disproportionately costly having regard to prospective trade at the harbour.
Wexford county is already served by two good harbours at Rosslare and New Ross.
If further proposals are submitted, will the Minister be prepared to give them sympathetic consideration?
We are always quite prepared to give sympathetic consideration to good proposals. Wexford Harbour Commissioners had been asked to give a comprehensive report of expected traffic in the event of improvements being carried out but that improved traffic should not result in robbing the two harbours at Rosslare and New Ross.
Surely the Parliamentary Secretary must be aware that freight traffic no longer exists in Rosslare and that this places Wexford Harbour in a much improved situation as compared with heretofore? I mention that only because the Parliamentary Secretary mentioned Rosslare.