asked the Minister for Finance the plans, if any, that have been drawn up for the extension of Ballycotton pier, County Cork, to cater for the needs of local fishermen.
23.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Cork Piers.
22.
asked the Minister for Finance if he is aware of the need for the provision of a slip at Ballycotton, County Cork, to cater for the needs of tourists and holiday makers; and, if so, if there are plans to provide the facility.
Mr. Kenny
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 22 and 23 together.
The commissioners have no proposal to extend the pier at Ballycotton, but they have been requested by the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries to investigate proposals for the provision of a slipway and powered winch and they hope to do this in the coming year.
I am not aware of any proposal to improve the landing facilities at Ballycotton in the interests of tourism.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary not aware that borings were taken there some years ago with a view to extending the pier?
Mr. Kenny
A survey team set up by the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries to examine the fishing ports and landing places in County Cork recommended that an 18-feet-wide slip and a power winch be provided at Ballycotton. The Department of Agriculture and Fisheries submitted the survey team's recommendations to the Office of Public Works in March, 1972, for detailed investigations, reports and estimates of costs. A total of 56 locations were recommended for improvement.
Having regard to present commitments of the Office of Public Works' engineer and because of the limited personnel we have at our disposal, we will not be in a position to take up the case at Ballycotton until next April at the earliest.
What about employing some more personnel?
Can the Parliamentary Secretary say why he decided to disregard those facts in the first instance and only give them on being pressed?
Mr. Kenny
That was supplementary information that might not have been of any use to the Deputy since he is so far from Ballycotton.