Seamus Kirk
Question:114 Mr. Kirk asked the Minister for the Marine when a decision will be made on the application by Dundalk Harbour Commissioners for EC Structural Fund grant assistance for capital dredging at Dundalk port, County Louth.
Written Answers. - Dundalk (Louth) Port.
Dermot Ahern
Question:115 Mr. D. Ahern asked the Minister for the Marine when a decision will be made on the application by Dundalk Harbour Commissioners for EC Structural Fund grant assistance for capital dredging at Dundalk port, County Louth.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 114 and 115 together.
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 subject to EU approval of the National Plan. This process will be concluded as soon as possible.
Officials of the Department will be in touch with Dundalk Harbour Commissioners in the near future in relation to their port development proposals.