asked the Minister for Fisheries and Forestry in relation to the development at Howth Harbour, County Dublin, if he will outline the facilities that are being made available to the Howth Yacht Club, the amount of public money, if any, involved in the provision of such facilities, the percentage of the total cost represented by the inclusion of these facilities and if he will make a statement on the development of the harbour as a major centre for the fishing industry on the east coast.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Howth Harbour Development.
13.
As part of the scheme at present in progress for the development of Howth Harbour as a fishery harbour centre it is proposed to lease 2.27 hectares of the eastern part of the harbour to the Howth Yacht Club on condition that they construct therein at their own expense a yacht marina and provided that arrangements are made to safeguard whatever rights are enjoyed by the public in the area at present and that the facilities so provided will be available to all yachtsmen using the harbour and not restricted to club members only.
A portion of this area will be dredged in substitution for existing moorings including deep water moorings which are at present available to yachtsmen and which will be either eliminated or seriously curtailed as a result of the fishery harbour works being carried out. It is felt that the cost of the necessary dredging of this area should be met by the Exchequer. The cost of this work is estimated at £300,000, approximately 5½ per cent of the total outlay.
The development of Howth as a major fishery harbour centre is considered essential. It is the second most important fishing port in the country and it is the only fishery harbour along the east coast large enough to provide refuge from storm for any significant number of vessels in addition to the Howth fleet. The extensive improvements works being carried out include: (i) deepening of the harbour entrance; (ii) provision of protective breakwater extensions to the east and west piers; (iii) widening of the west pier and providing it with a new quay wall face; (iv) creation of a breakwater pier in the harbour to protect the fishery harbour basin; (v) reclamation of part of the harbour foreshore to provide a landing quay and servicing area; (vi) reclamation of an area at the back and at the root of the west pier to provide additional harbour facilities; (vii) provision of a synchrolift, auction hall and all necessary services.
In order to meet the requirements of the fishermen and yachtsmen and secure the co-operation of the local people a liason committee has been set up. This committee meets as necessary with officials of my Department and of the Office of Public Works so that as the development progresses points of view may be expressed and, where possible, resolved by agreement.
I should like to thank the Minister for his substantial and detailed reply. I should like to know if there is any financial consideration for the 2.27 hectares that are to be leased to the Howth Yacht Club? Is there an annual rent on leasing?
I am sure that if there is a leasing there will be some financial consideration.
Has the Minister that information available?
I do not have that information but I will make it available to the Deputy.
I should like to know the membership of the liaison committee the Minister referred to.
I am not in a position to give individual names.
Does the committee include local public representatives? Would the Minister be open to the suggestion that such people be on that committee?
I am sure it is open to local representatives but I cannot say for certain. I imagine their presence would be helpful.
Is the membership of the committee closed?
I have not that information but I will make it available to the Deputy.
Is the Minister open to the suggestion that representatives of the local community, the corporation and county council are entitled to membership of that committee?
I will have a look at that matter.
Question Nos. 14 and 15 for written reply.