asked the Minister for Fisheries and Forestry when work will commence on the reconstruction of the pier at Union Hall, County Cork, which is now in a dangerous condition.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Cork Pier.
74.
The repair of the pier at Union Hall is a matter for Cork County Council and my Department have requested the council to carry out the work as early as possible. The fishermen have also requested that, apart from the repairs, some improvement works be undertaken. In this regard an engineering report has been called for from the Office of Public Works. It is possible that a grant may be forthcoming for any improvement work that is deemed necessary.
Is the Minister aware that the sum of money available to Cork County Council for the repair of all the piers in west Cork—and they are a very big number—is only £18,000? From the point of view of reconstruction and improvement which is the responsibility of his Department, is the Minister aware that this question of a report being called for from the Board of Works is something that has been told to the fishermen there for the last number of years? Can the Minister give me the date when that was first looked for?
I am aware that maintenance works are the responsibility of the county council and that additional facilities are the responsibility of my Department. Cork County Council were advised by this Department on 6 February 1979 of the need for maintenance works at Keelbeg and they were asked to attend to the matter. There was a sea fishery officer's report and subsequent requests by local fishermen for improved and additional works. As a result of this investigation the Office of Public Works are preparing a report and they will need to itemise the amounts that could be classed as additional and those which could be classed as maintenance works and the responsibility of the county council. As soon as that is done the work will be carried out.
Will the Minister give an open commitment that whatever money is needed to improve this pier, which is very dangerous and is going to fall down, will be made available in the near future?
When the report comes in I will look for the necessary State grant to carry out the works to the pier.