Vol. 359 No. 3
asked the Minister for Communications if he is aware of the fact that there are approximately 490 people working at peak periods in Foynes harbour and that the future of the port must be protected so as to ensure the safety of the jobs involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
444.
asked the Minister for Communications the reason he had his Minister of State have consistently refused to meet a deputation from the Foynes harbour trustees, despite assurances given that they would be received.
445.
asked the Minister for Communications if he is aware that his Department sanctioned the tender to go ahead with the extension to the east pier at Foynes harbour prior to the contract for this development being entered into.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 443, 444 and 445 together.
On completion of the normal consultation procedures, Foynes harbour trustees were informed in July 1983 of my approval of the proposed contract for the east jetty extension at a cost of £2.8 million. Notwithstanding the allocation in 1983 of a State grant of £300,000 and local loans fund loan of £700,000 towards development works at Foynes harbour, the trustees were advised at the time that there was no commitment to State funding of the scheme in 1984. The trustees were accordingly fully aware that in order to proceed with the east jetty extension they would need to be able to service substantial commercial borrowings.
A further local loans fund loan of £1.2 million has been drawn down by the trustees and a State grant of £200,000 has been paid to the trustees in 1985. The Minister of State has recently indicated to the trustees that he would be willing to receive a deputation later in the year to discuss the possibility of additional assistance to Foynes harbour in 1985 when the overall position in relation to the take-up of expenditure on harbour projects becomes clearer.
The position in relation to employment at Foynes harbour is a matter which comes within the general responsibility of the harbour trustees. However, the trading performance of the port and the trustees' financial position are the subject of ongoing review by my Department.
