Austin Deasy
Question:30 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for the Marine the plans, if any, he has for a major extension of Dunmore East Harbour in County Waterford in view of the serious congestion involving trawlers and pleasure craft.
Written Answers. - Dunmore East (Waterford) Harbour Congestion.
I am conscious from recent visits to Dunmore East that there can be congestion of vessels berthing at Dunmore East harbour. This is a problem which is common to virtually all the large fishery harbours in the State.
In an effort to relieve congestion at the harbour I recently arranged for the installation of five 17 foot pontoons at the west wharf of the harbour. This development has been well received by the small boat fleet in the harbour. I have no doubt that, with co-operation between the individual users at the port the maximum use of available berthage is possible. However the overall berthage difficulties still remain to be addressed.
One proposal at present being considered by my Department is the possibility of building up the existing breakwater and decking it to increase available berthage. Substantial expenditure is necessary to achieve this and the proposal is being examined to determine if the additional berthage to be achieved from this exercise will justify the level of expenditure required.
Dunmore East is, as the Deputy will be aware, a designated fishery harbour centre with about 40 fishing boats based there. This number is at present augmented by a number of large trawlers temporarily relocated in the harbour for the duration of development works at Rosslare Harbour. Adding to this number are a visiting pelagic fleet during the Celtic Sea Herring season and a seasonal influx of visiting yachts.
This large volume of traffic necessitates careful policing of the existing limited berthage in an attempt to accommodate all users. However, I must emphasise that Dunmore East is a fishery port and, as such, fishing trawlers must be given priority for berthage.
In addition to examining the need for developments to alleviate berthage I received a plan for improvements at the harbour from a locally formed development group. My Department are examining this proposal with a view to incorporating it in the fishery harbour development programme 1993-1997 which will be submitted to the EC for assistance. The plan will require careful study by the Department engineers.
In conclusion I can assure the Deputy that every effort will be made to ensure that the infrastructure requirements of all fishery harbours, Dunmore East included, will be assessed and attended to as financial resources permit.