asked the Minister for Finance what the present position is regarding the dredging of Dingle Harbour, County Kerry.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dingle Harbour Dredging.
26.
The grant of £108,000 sanctioned by Roinn na Gaeltachta for dredging and other improvements at Dingle Harbour was subject to the condition that the Kerry County Council and the Dingle Harbour Commissioners would contribute to the cost of future maintenance dredging. They accepted this condition but when the plans and specification for the work and the legal agreement were sent to them for approval a legal difficulty arose regarding the council's authority to guarantee payment of future maintenance costs.
There have been consultations between the parties concerned and it is hoped that a solution will shortly be found to enable the works to be carried out.
I am told that Kerry County Council cleared the way. It is the Minister's Department that is now holding up work on the harbour. Will he see that the hold-up will stop?
The Deputy has accused the Department of Local Government and Roinn na Gaeltachta of holding up the matter. It has not been held up by anybody. This consultation has taken place in order to overcome the legal difficulties. The law agent of the local authority queried the legal authority of the council to enter into agreement. The Dingle Harbour Commissioners are the harbour authority. The present county council could not commit their successors to make contributions.
What will this work cost?
£108,000.
When will the work start?
As soon as we iron out the legal difficulties.
When will that be?
As soon as possible.