andMr. Kirk asked the Minister for Fisheries and Forestry if, in view of the urgency of having work commence on the development of Clogherhead Harbour, County Louth, he will arrange a meeting with the Office of Public Works, Louth County Council and the Clogherhead fishermen so as to expedite the development.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Clogherhead Harbour Development.
4.
I understand that Louth County Council are arranging a meeting of engineers of my Department, the Office of Public Works, Louth County Council and their engineering consultants to consider proposals formulated by their consultants following a hydraulic model investigation.
When a plan is agreed between the county council and my Department I will arrange to have it discussed with the fishermen.
Does the Minister recall informing me in April 1983 that the hydraulic model investigation into Clogherhead Harbour had been completed? No progress has been made since. In the circumstances would he ensure that the various groups referred to in the question be brought together immediately so that the red tape might be cut through and the work got under way?
I agree that there are delays but I would point out that on 8 May last, Louth County Council advised that their consultant engineers had reported on their plans for the Clogherhead scheme on the basis of the hydraulic-model investigation and that they were arranging a meeting with engineers of my Department. Therefore, this matter did not come on stream until as recently as 8 May. The tripartite meeting will have to be concluded before any progress can be made and I suggest that any meeting with the fishermen at this stage would be premature.
When is work likely to commence on the project and, more important, has money been made available in this year's Estimate for the development of Clogherhead Harbour?
I cannot give the Deputy a definitive answer to the first part of the question because this will depend on the speed with which consultations will be concluded by the different parties. Regarding the second part of the question, money has not been made available specifically for development of Clogherhead for the simple reason that the documentation has not been finalised nor final decisions reached on the plan to be adopted in relation to Clogherhead.
More than a year ago the Minister told me that consideration would be given to the provision of moneys for this purpose in the 1984 Estimate. Considering the fact that even the limited facilities available at the harbour are in danger of being destroyed in the next storm, perhaps the Minister would ensure that the money is made available as soon as the discussions have concluded.
I cannot give the Deputy any guarantee on money being made available for this purpose this year. I accept the necessity for urgent action in relation to Clogherhead but we cannot provide any moneys until we know exactly what the estimates are and what are the plans in relation to the development. That project will be considered with all the other demands made on that subhead in the Vote for the coming year.
That is not a very hopeful prognostication of what is likely to happen. I am sure the Minister is aware that there are 29 boats in the Clogherhead fleet and that only about 13 of those can be accommodated in the dock. The remainder must tie up elsewhere. In circustances in which the Clogherhead fishermen have shown that they have developed the industry to a considerable extent, will the Minister agree that his reply is not conducive to the further development of fisheries at Clogherhead?
I am calling Question No. 5.
Is the Minister not in a position to give a definite answer?
I cannot give a definite answer. I can only reiterate that I accept fully the necessity for urgent action and that the Clogherhead fishing fleet is very badly in need of this facility. From his departmental experience the Deputy will be aware that the provision of moneys cannot go ahead until we know exactly to what extent money is required. In other words, we must have estimates and plans and complete the paperwork first. In this case that has not been done up to now. I remind the Deputy again that Louth County Council did not produce their part of the documentation until 8 May 1984.
I have called the next question.
This is a final supplementary. Will the Minister interest himself personally in this matter to the extent that he will make an effort to have the discussions take place as quickly as possible?
I will endeavour to expedite the discussions.