Programmes of harbour development for ports and landing places around the coast in the fisheries interest are drawn up and carried out in a systematic and orderly manner. The programmes are based on the reports of survey teams comprising engineers of the county council concerned, the Office of Public Works and my Department and also representatives of Bord Fáilte and An Bord Iascaigh Mhara.
The survey team for the County Dublin coastline carried out inspections of the County Dublin ports and landing places last July and furnished its report to me on 15th February, 1977. As regards Balbriggan harbour the only improvement work recommended by the team was the dredging of the harbour and I am having this recommendation considered and costed. This involves the drawing up of an engineering report by the Office of Public Works, and until I have that report and the estimate of cost I cannot say what the nature of the work will entail and consequently what the cost is likely to be. As no proposals have been made to my Department in relation to the other works referred to by the Deputy the estimated costs of these works are not available in my Department.