asked the Minister for Transport and Power when loans were sought by Drogheda Corporation, Louth County Council and Meath County Council for transmission to Drogheda Harbour Board for use as capital moneys on their port scheme; and what is the present position in the matter, as these moneys are now urgently needed by Drogheda Harbour Board.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Drogheda Harbour Scheme.
27.
On 3rd October, 1969, the Drogheda Harbour Commissioners sought my approval to the borrowing of £90,000. Of this sum the commissioners propose to borrow £30,000 directly from the Local Loans Fund and this borrowing is being guaranteed by the Drogheda Corporation. The balance of £60,000 would also be borrowed from the Local Loans Fund by the Louth and Meath County Councils in equal instalments and would be advanced by these authorities to the commissioners. Two of the local authorities are still awaiting the expiry of the statutory period which must elapse before they can confirm the necessary financial resolutions. The resolutions will then require to be confirmed by order of the Minister for Local Government before they can become operative.
I expect to approve the application of the Harbour Commissioners when the foregoing arrangements for the borrowing have been completed.
In relation to this port scheme I would ask the Minister to ensure, in consultation with the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries, that it does not interfere with the livelihood of the mussel fishermen at the mouth of the River Boyne. I understand that the dredging operations being carried out, or likely to be carried out by the Harbour Commissioners, are interfering with mussel stocks and I would ask the Minister, in consultation with his colleague, to take all steps that he can to ensure that the livelihood of the mussel fishermen is not interfered with and that they are compensated.
My information is that they will not be interfered with, that the dredging operations are taking this into account. I shall certainly take up the matter.