asked the Minister for Fisheries and Forestry when work will commence on the development of Greencastle Harbour, County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
3.
Ceisteanna—Questions . Oral Answers . - Greencastle (Donegal) Harbour .
2.
asked the Minister for Fisheries if he is aware of the congestion at Greencastle Harbour, County Donegal, which is due largely to the lack of dredging; and the action he proposes in the matter.
4.
asked the Minister for Fisheries and Forestry when he expects the extension and improvement scheme at Greencastle Harbour, County Donegal to commence.
: I propose to take Questions Nos. 2 to 4, inclusive, together.
An Exchequer grant of £1,451,250, representing 75 per cent of the estimated cost, was approved in 1981 towards the cost of a major development scheme for Greencastle harbour which includes the dredging of the harbour. A revised estimate of cost has recently been received from the Office of Public Works and is being examined in my Department. Subject to the approval of a grant based on the revised figure of cost and the availability of the necessary finance tenders will be invited as early as possible for the work.
: When is the Minister prepared to sanction the works on this pier? Is money available for it this year? In view of the costs involved in the development of this very important fishing port not only for Donegal but for the north west generally, would the Minister consider that a full grant should be given by the Department of Fisheries and Forestry towards the cost of this development rather than expecting the local authority to make a contribution of 25 per cent, which will cost them in the region of £60,000 per year?
: The latter part of the question covers an area which it is not within my competence to deal with. The practice has been that the local authority should be involved to the extent of a 25 per cent local contribution. Changing that practice would not be a matter for my Department. The question of when the work will start depends on the availability of the necessary finance and the approval of the Department of Finance for the expenditure. The estimate has been revised upwards and we are talking about a very substantial sum of money. The commencement of the work will depend on when the money is available. An allocation of £0.5 million has been provided in the 1983 Estimates to meet the anticipated expenditure on the scheme this year. However, this sum is subject to a review of the published financial allocations which is at present being undertaken by the Government. In that case also a contribution would be expected from the local authority.
: Would the Minister agree that a fisherman who commissioned a boat some time ago may now find it impossible to use the harbour due to the development's not having taken place? I appreciate that there has been some movement in relation to dredging of the harbour and making the port accessible to boats of a larger size. Will the Minister assure the House that there will be ongoing expenditure to ensure that fishermen will be able to use the harbour so that their efforts to obtain a livelihood will not be frustrated?
: I should like to give the undertaking sought by the Deputy but I cannot give that guarantee until the review of the published financial allocations is completed. I fully appreciate the urgency of this matter and as Minister for Fisheries I should be delighted to be able to accede to the request. I will not be in a position to know what allocation will be forthcoming until the review is completed.
: Would the Minister agree that when this scheme was mooted on 23 June 1978 it was to cost £844,000, whereas it is now estimated to cost in excess of £2 million? Could the Minister give a guarantee that the review will be expedited so that we will have a report within a reasonable time?
: I will do my utmost to expedite the finalisation of the review in relation to this project.
: Will the Minister accept that Greencastle harbour would be used by all the larger boats which are fishing for mackerel off the south west coast of Scotland and the north west coast of Ireland? This harbour would be of vital importance and would save fishermen having to go to Rathmullen and Killybegs.
: I fully appreciate what the Deputy has said. I would be more than delighted to be in a position to facilitate this project immediately but unfortunately we will have to await the determination of the allocation for the project.