Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 5 Nov 1992

Vol. 424 No. 10

Ceisteanna — Questions. Written Answers. - Howth (Dublin) Fish Auction Hall.

Patrick McCartan

Question:

73 Mr. McCartan asked the Minister for the Marine when work will commence on the construction of the Auction Hall at Howth, Dublin 13; the way in which the Auction Hall will be administered and run once it is built; if the Auction Hall is to be tendered out for private use; if so, when such tendering will commence; whether it is intended to have one overall management company or several individual fish retailers operating in the hall; to whom should a person apply for prospective employment once the hall is constructed; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for the Marine (Dr. Woods)

I signed the contract a fortnight ago for the new fish auction hall in Howth and the work has already commenced.

The operation and management of the building is under consideration in my Department at present. Potential users of the facility will be fully consulted before a management plan is put in place. There are no proposals to allow individual fish stalls in the Hall.

In the event of my Department hiring extra staff, recruitment will be carried out in the normal manner with the assistance of FÁS.

I was very happy to be able to bring this important project to fruition as it has been sought by local fishermen for some 12 years.

Howth is the largest whitefish port in the country and this new Auction Hall will further improve the facilities provided by my Department for the fishermen and fish traders.