Phil Hogan
Question:77 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for the Marine the reason the allocation of £15 million has been made from European Community Structural Funds to construct a new port at Mornington; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Port Development Programme.
The present position in this regard is that work is underway in the Department preparing for the continuation of EC aid for development works at the commercial seaports. The aim of our overall strategy will be to ensure that our seaports have the capacity and quality of infrastructure to meet the trading conditions of the 21st century. To achieve this, a comprehensive port development programme, involving expenditure of £100 million over the years 1994 to 1999, is included in the National Development Plan.
In so far as port projects are concerned, the Department has identified portal requirements and is now in the process of identifying projects to meet those requirements. The process will be concluded as soon as possible. Officials of the Department will be in touch with Drogheda Harbour Commissioners in the very near future in relation to their port development proposals.