I propose to take Questions Nos. 22 and 38 together. As the repairs of the storm damage to Clogherhead pier have not yet been carried out by Louth county council the question of payment of the grant by my Department does not arise. My Department have already paid a grant of £5,809 to Louth County Council towards the cost of the diving survey to ascertain the repairs necessary to the pier and to recover the dislodged coping stones from the harbour bed.
As the Deputy is aware, from a meeting which he and a deputation of local interests had with the Minister for Fisheries, Forestry and Tourism on 12 February 1986 an undertaking was given that the repairs and stablisation of the pier would proceed as quickly as possible and that my Department would make a 50 per cent contribution towards the cost of the work.
With regard to the development of the pier an outline plan of a development scheme prepared by the Louth County Councils consultants was received in my Department on 11 February 1986 and is at present being examined. At the meeting with the deputation to which I have already referred it was indicated that my Department were committed to a development scheme for Clogherhead as a priority item. It was also pointed out that the Department's contribution to the cost would be limited to a 50 per cent grant and that such expenditure would have to be justified on the basis of a full economic appraisal of the project. Until the scheme has been appraised and the approval of the Minister of Finance obtained to the financial cost involved I cannot say when work will commence or whether any funding from the EC will be sought.
