Vol. 411 No. 4
85 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for the Marine his views on whether the dredging at Bantry Pier in County Cork is an urgent necessity; when the preliminary survey will be carried out; and when the actual dredging will take place.
87 Mr. Sheehan asked the Minister for the Marine when the hydrographical survey in connection with the dredging of Bantry Pier and the construction of a new pier at Whiddy Island will be undertaken in view of the indication given in February 1991 that funds would then be made readily available to carry out the survey and as no developments have taken place to date.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 85 and 87 together.
I consider the proposed dredging works at Bantry Pier as an essential part of the programme for developing the harbour.
The preliminary works comprising a hydrographic survey and site investigations will start shortly. The actual dredging works will be carried out in 1992 provided that the required funding can be made available within the prevailing budgetary constraints.
Following representations on behalf of the Whiddy Island community for the construction of an all-weather pier, I have asked the Ministerial Islands Committee to examine the problem and I await their response in the matter.
