asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries the progress made with regard to the extension of Skerries Harbour; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Skerries Harbour.
19.
A boring survey of Skerries Harbour will be necessary before any scheme for the improvement of the landing facilities there could be formulated. I have asked the Office of Public Works to have this survey undertaken as soon as possible.
I accept that the Parliamentary Secretary gave that answer with tongue in cheek. The boring equipment—it certainly is boring at this stage—arrived at Skerries where one trial hole was made but then the whole operation was packed up. Would the Parliamentary Secretary like to say when the next piece of equipment will arrive?
Whatever about the answer given with tongue in cheek, as was stated by the Deputy, I would tell him that an additional sum of £4,000 was put into this by the Exchequer. Instead of the £3,000 originally provided for the survey of this work, which is undoubtedly essential and important, it was decided to extend the survey and also to extend the cost to the Exchequer up to £7,500. I can assure the Deputy that we have had a number of representations so far as the development work at Skerries is concerned and there is no undue delay in this matter. The Minister is particularly interested in this job. I can assure Deputy Burke that Skerries is being well looked after but the survey report must come to hand before a final decision is made.
The Parliamentary Secretary said that the boring equipment must be brought to Skerries and that the Office of Public Works have been asked to do this. I would point out to him that the equipment was there before and a trial hole was made——
The Deputy is making a statement. I would remind him that this is Question Time.
Will the Parliamentary Secretary state when the equipment will be sent to Skerries?
The Deputy has already asked that question.
I did not get an answer.
That is not the fault of the Chair. I am calling Question No. 20.
I should like the permission of the Chair to answer the Deputy's question. The survey plant was sent down to Skerries in August, 1975, but unfortunately it broke down. That plant needs to be overhauled and, in order to complete the survey without more delay we propose, through the Office of Public Works, to employ specialised outside assistance. We are going outside for assistance in order to do the job and that will give an indication of the priority we attach to it.
It took Fianna Fáil 20 years to take the first bore hole.
At least we got it done. It seems the Government are going outside with work again.
I have called Question No. 20.
20.
asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if he will approve a grant towards the cost of the proposed new slipway at Skerries by Dublin County Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
My Department have recently received a report and estimate from the Office of Public Works on a proposal by Dublin County Council for a new slipway at Skerries. These are being examined. Until this examination is completed I cannot say what grant, if any, I would be prepared to recommend for this work.
The delay in approving this grant is causing concern in Skerries. If the new slipway is built the possibility of having a world yachting championship in Skerries next year is quite good but without the slipway it will not be held. I would ask the Parliamentary Secretary to speed up a decision on this matter.
The position is that an original estimate of £8,500 was provided to carry out works that were deemed essential and which measured up to the requirements of the Department and the Dublin County Council. We approved that money in April, 1974, but subsequent to that approval the county council considered the scheme should be changed. They were not satisfied and changed their minds and as a result we did not go ahead with the proposals for which the money was provided. The subsequent suggestions of Dublin County Council are under consideration and I asked for a report as quickly as possible. We got a report last month and the estimated cost of the new proposals is in the region of £22,000. I assume the Department would be prepared to make a grant of £11,000 available for this work which would mean that the county council would also find £11,000. It is true that the grant for the original work was 100 per cent from the State but the circumstances there were quite special, as the Deputy appreciates. It is not proposed to extend a grant of more than 50 per cent but a decision has not been made yet.
Would the Parliamentary Secretary reconsider the possibility of giving the full 100 per cent grant to Skerries Harbour for this matter because it has such tremendous tourist potential with the world yachting championship coming along, an event which will greatly benefit Aer Lingus and other operators, such as the hoteliers?
It is not the job of the Fisheries Section to cater for yachting events and to provide money especially for them. We appreciate their value but it is hard to segregate sporting events, such as yachting, from fishery development. We are examining this report, which is costing £22,000. There is no special reason why Dublin County Council should get more than 50 per cent for this matter.
Can I take it from the Parliamentary Secretary's answer that the Department will approve £11,000 towards this scheme?
As I mentioned, this is under consideration and in the event of approval being granted the grant will be 50 per cent. I am sure Dublin County Council will contribute the balance.