Vol. 426 No. 2
102 Mr. Kirk asked the Minister for the Marine if his attention has been drawn to the fact that upgrading and improvement projects under the small fishery harbours development programme require the local authorities on the east coast to meet 50 per cent of the cost, that their present financial position leaves them unable to meet the cost; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The Department of the Marine, in accordance with long established practice, requires a contribution from the relevant local authority towards the cost of development works undertaken at local authority owned fishery harbours. The level of contribution sought depends on geographic location. A 50 per cent contribution is sought in respect of projects undertaken on the east and south-east coasts and a 25 per cent contribution is sought in respect of projects on the south-west and west coasts.
I believe that some significant level of contribution to these costs should be made by local authorities towards development works at harbours for which they have responsibility. However, I do appreciate that in the present financial circumstances many local authorities have great difficulty in meeting the costs of these harbour developments. This is especially so in the areas where a 50 per cent contribution is sought. I am therefore proposing to review this position in consultation with the various maritime local authorities and the Ministers for the Environment and Finance.
