Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 6 Apr 1993

Vol. 429 No. 3

Written Answers. - Harbours Usages.

Trevor Sargent

Question:

61 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for the Marine his views on whether harbours are an important underdeveloped resource for transportation of goods, fishing, tourism and boating, especially those in the Balbriggan, Skerries, Lough-shinny, Rush, Rogerstown, Lambay, Malahide and Howth areas of County Dublin; the plans, if any, he has for the upgrading and maintenance of harbours in this area; if he will give details of his overall objectives for their future use; and whether these include a ferry service in the summer between harbours.

Minister for the Marine (Mr. Andrews)

I have no doubt that there is considerable untapped scope for stimulating local development, especially in the leisure and amenity area, drawing on local harbour resources. The primary impetus for such development must come from local initiative and enterprise, drawing on any available support from the relevant local authorities, port authorities and tourism agencies.

The Department of the Marine's role is concerned primarily with the development of significant fishery centres and commercial ports. However, under the aegis of the Foreshore Act, 1933, it does facilitate the development of the State foreshore. A case in point is the marina-related project under way in Malahide. I would like to see, and would be supportive of, similar developments at the other harbours identified by the Deputy.

The Department of the Marine is responsible for Howth Harbour, which is a fishery harbour centre. Work is continuing on the construction of a fish auction hall at Howth and upgrading is ongoing.

Maintenance and development of the other harbours identified by the Deputy are primarily the responsibility of the relevant harbour authorities, Dublin Port and Docks Board in the case of Skerries and Balbriggan and Dublin County Council for the remainder. The Deputy should pursue his concerns directly with those bodies. Regarding the operation of a ferry service during the summer months, I am not aware of plans for any new ferry service at these harbours.