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Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 2 Jul 1992

Vol. 422 No. 1

Written Answers. - Fishery Harbours Development.

Proinsias De Rossa

Question:

21 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Minister for the Marine if he will outline the progress made to date with regard to the development of the five major designated fishery harbours; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

The five major fishery harbours under the management and control of my Department are Howth, County Dublin, Dunmore East, County Waterford, Castletownbere, County Cork, Rossaveel, County Galway and Killybegs County Donegal. Development works are being carried out in the context of a major development programme encompassing all harbour facilities covering a five year period 1989-1993.

Many of the projects specified in the development programme have commenced or are at an advanced stage. Commencement of projects not already underway is dependent upon satisfactory results from preliminary surveys and site investigations and availability of finance.

Specific developments at each of the harbours are as follows:—

Killybegs

At Killybegs, a new synchrolift which cost in the region of £2.6 million was inaugurated in 1991. The facility will assist fishermen by providing a speedy and efficient service for maintenance and repair of boats as well as increasing the efficiency of fishing operations and safety.

The ice plant, operated by An Bord Iascaigh Mhara, was built in the early 1980s and its production capacity was increased from 60 to 80 tonnes per day in 1990.

A workshop, garage and staff welfare facilities will be completed this year.

Further work remains to be done on upgrading safety and maintenance requirements and reviewing the need for dredging and a new pier.
Howth
Howth has been developed as a major fishery harbour at a total cost in excess of £11 million. During 1990, my Department provided a gear storage compound at Howth Harbour and also surfaced an area which is being used by fishermen for the repair of their nets, the cost of these works amounted to almost £50,000. As I have already informed the House, work will commence this year on the building of a new fish auction hall at Howth. This new auction hall will provide local fishermen with a modern facility to ensure maximum prices for their catch.
In the course of the major developments during the mid 1980's, B.I.M., provided an upgraded ice plant with a production capacity of 40 tonnes per day and this Department provided a synchrolift and boatyard.
Rossaveel
The major developments at Rossaveel, Co. Galway announced in the Harbour Development Programme are now at an advanced stage. This comprises work on a new pier as well as dredging the harbour. Ancillary works, including provision of a new auction hall, are also proposed. The total cost will exceed £6 million. A new modern ice plant is also to be provided at a cost of about £0.8 million. The whole project is scheduled for completion at the end of 1993.
Castletownbere
The programme envisages the upgrading of the auction hall and dredging of approach channel — site investigations to determine the depth of dredging required has been carried out at Castletownbere. In 1991 a new `a state of the art' computer-controlled ice plant was provided by An Bord Iascaigh Mhara. This represents a total investment of £810,000.
There is a synchrolift operating in the port and the facility underwent a major overhaul in 1991.
Dunmore East
The auction hall was re-roofed and the capacity of the synchrolift has been increased.
Here also BIM installed a new "state of the art" ice plant at a cost of £650,000 in 1990.
The need for safe berthing of half deckers at Dunmore East has been addressed with pontoons recently installed.
In summary, positive progress is being achieved in the development of the State's Fishery Harbour Centres. I am conscious from my recent visits to all five ports of this progress and of what requires to be done in the future as and when resources permit.
In the context of general harbour developments I have instructed my Department to reassess the infrastructure requirements nationally with a view to reviewing the existing programmes and drawing up a new Fishery Harbour Development Programme, to cover a second five year period commencing in 1993.
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