Frances Fitzgerald
Question:64 Ms F. Fitzgerald asked the Minister for the Marine if it is intended to redevelop the Dingle Boatyard, County Kerry, for non-marine purposes contrary to the wishes of the local fisherman.
Written Answers. - Dingle (Kerry) Boatyard.
Frances Fitzgerald
Question:67 Ms F. Fitzgerald asked the Minister for the Marine if he will give an undertaking to upgrade the Dingle Boatyard, County Kerry, in consultation with the Dingle Fishermen's Association.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 64 and 67 together.
I understand that the Dingle boatyard was purchased by Dingle Boats Teoranta some 14 years ago and that negotiations towards the disposal of that company's interest in the property to a third party are now at an advanced stage. The boatyard partly occupies an area of reclaimed foreshore and I am agreeable in principle to the necessary consolidation of the foreshore leasing arrangements to facilitate the disposal of the entire site.
However, any change in use of redevelopment of the property would, of course, be subject to planning permission. In addition, any development on the leased foreshore would be subject to my approval under the lease agreement. In this regard I understand that the proposed purchaser of the boatyard, hopes to develop the property in accordance with the planning objectives as set out in the Dingle Harbour Development Plan which has been approved by the local authority and intends to retain the existing slipway for the purposes of boat repairs. There are no funds available to the Department of the Marine to upgrade this boatyard which is in private ownership.