Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 25 Jul 1996

Vol. 468 No. 4

Written Answers. - Grant Aid.

Ned O'Keeffe

Question:

990 Mr. E. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for the Marine the total grants made available from EU funding and Exchequer funding to Cork Harbour Commission for the purchase of a new tug; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that by making grant aid available for the purchase of a new tug, it will displace 22 persons who operate Shandon Tug; if he will guarantee the safety of Cork Harbour pollution, spillage and fire which has a record in safety second to none; whether the harbour will have a 24 hour/365 day system of operation to guarantee safety, for example, we would not have a Millford Harbour type disaster; if his attention has been drawn to the concerns being expressed in the Cork Harbour area due to the proposed changes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15656/96]

Minister for the Marine (Mr. Barrett)

EU Cohesion Fund aid of 75 per cent of project cost has been approved towards the acquisition by Cork Harbour Commissioners of a new tractor tug. The balance of the cost is being met by Cork Harbour Commissioners and no Exchequer funding has been made available to the Commissioners in respect of this project. The new tug, Gerry O'Sullivan, at a cost of IR£3.6 million is now operational and to date Cohesion Fund aid of just over IR£2 million has been paid to Cork Harbour Commissioners. The Gerry O'Sullivan is a replacement tug for the Shandon which is now being offered for sale and the former crew of the Shandon will operate the Gerry O'Sullivan.

The Gerry O' Sullivan is equipped with the most up-to-date firefighting equipment and is the most modern and up-to-date tug in any port in the Republic. The Shandon did not operate on a 24 hour, 365 day system but did operate as required over the 365 days. The Gerry O'Sulivan will operate in the same way.