With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle I propose to take Questions Nos. 12, 13 and 14 together.
I have received reports from the Arklow Harbour Commissioners and from users of the port of Arklow that the condition of the north quay wharves there is deteriorating. I understand that this deterioration is due to the washing away of material from behind the wharves.
These wharves were originally built with the aid of a State grant. The responsibility for maintaining and protecting the wharves rests on the harbour commissioners and it is a matter for them to finance this work from their own resources. A state grant could not be made available for this or for any other harbour maintenance work which is a statutory duty of all scheduled harbour authorities such as Arklow Harbour Commissioners.
The commissioners have just completed a major harbour improvements scheme financed with a State grant of £548,000 and a State loan of £60,000. I am advised that the harbour commissioners should take immediate remedial action to alleviate the position and prevent further damage.