Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 13 Mar 1997

Vol. 476 No. 4

Adjournment Debate. - County Dublin Harbours.

Mr. Sargent

Will the Minister of State indicate the date on which the Minister will visit Balbriggan and Skerries harbours? Will the Department facilitate the putting in place of proper financial arrangements and consultation procedures to ensure the harbours do not become dangerous and unworkable following their transfer to Fingal County Council under the Harbours Act, 1996?

I have raised this matter on a number of occasions, the most recent being 11 February when I was informed by the Minister that he expected the arrangements for the hand over of Balbriggan and Skerries harbours to Fingal County Council to be made in accordance with regulations under the Harbours Act, 1996 in advance of the establishment of the Dublin Port Company earlier this month and that he would visit both harbours prior to vesting day. On 24 April 1996 the Minister informed me that he was undertaking a programme of visits to fishery harbours around the coast and that he hoped to visit Skerries and Balbriggan harbours "in the near future", possibly on completion of works being undertaken at that time and in advance of their transfer to Fingal County Council. The Minister should explain why those replies were so inaccurate.

There are two issues which need to be addressed, the first of which is the provision of resources for outstanding works. These include the resurfacing of Balbriggan harbour and the provision of waste removal facilities. There is a need for proper inspection and maintenance of the harbours and enforcement of the law in regard to wreck removal. There is a need for dredging facilities. A dredger is available at all times in Kilkeel harbour whereas Skerries and Balbriggan harbours have not been dredged for some time. Some works were undertaken over a year ago in Balbriggan harbour where an ice plant is needed. In Skerries harbour the metal piles are in need of repair and boats have been damaged when they hit off the bottom of the harbour. There is a need for proper electricity and water supplies, particularly in Balbriggan harbour.

Any resources provided will need to be used effectively. This will not happen by transferring the harbours to Fingal County Council which, although its heart may be in the right place, does not have the necessary expertise or experience. The Minister should facilitate the putting in place of consultative procedures, whether through a harbour authority — this may require legislation — or other non-statutory body, to ensure the experience and expertise of fishermen built up over many generations is availed of and the harbours continue to be developed.

The dredging works undertaken were a waste of money and ineffective and may have proved counterproductive. On wreck removal, we are back to where we were because the necessary monitoring and inspections were not carried out in the meantime.

There is a threat that the harbours will be downgraded by Fingal County Council in the way Loughshinney and Rush harbours have been. The council is threatening to close them. If that happens, the fishermen will be forced to use other harbours and incur extra expense. This will result in the industry, the poor relation, being downgraded. The Minister is responsible for its promotion and development.

Mr. Gilmore

I apologise on behalf of my ministerial colleague, Deputy Barrett, who, due to other commitments, is unable to be present.

Section 88 (4) of the Harbours Act, 1996 provides that, on its commencement, there shall stand transferred to Fingal County Council from the Dublin Port Company the harbours of Skerries and Balbriggan together with all the property, rights and liabilities of the said company. Section 1(2) (c) of the Act states that an order under section 88(4) can only be made with the consent of the Minister for the Environment.

As the Deputy is aware, the Dublin Port Company was incorporated on Monday, 3 March. On 19 February, the Department of the Environment advised the Department that Fingal County Council was awaiting details from the Dublin Port and Docks Board of the liabilities and assets it was expected to take on as a result of the transfer to it of Skerries and Balbriggan harbours. Information on the precise boundaries and condition of the harbours, staffing, property disputes etc. has been sought by the county council.

I have been advised that the local authority, on its own initiative, has had meetings with Dublin Port management in an effort to establish the position on these matters. In light of the foregoing, the Minister for the Environment requested that the proposed transfer be deferred for a limited period to enable the issues raised by the county council with Dublin Port management to be resolved. This we have agreed to do. The harbours in question, therefore, remain within the limits of Dublin Port. This is only a temporary measure. I am anxious, in the interests of fishing and leisure interests in the harbours, that the transfer is effected as soon as possible.

On 28 February, my Department requested the management of Dublin in Port to co-operate as fully as possible in providing the information sought by the county council in relation to the transfer. The Dublin Port Company has confirmed that it will continue to co-operate in providing the information requested in respect of the harbours concerned. The matter is one which needs, in the first instance, to be thrashed out between the Dublin Port Company and the county council. It would not be helpful to the process if too many other parties were to get involved.

I am hopeful that the harbours can be transferred within the next few months. Once transferred the county council will be responsible for their control, management, operation and development and will be empowered to introduce by-laws for their good rule and governance. As the Deputy is aware, a number of local authorities are responsible for harbours, piers and landing stages around the coast. I am convinced, therefore, that there is in existence a wealth of expertise which could be tapped into through the forum of, for example, the County and City Managers' Association. The Department will be available to assist with advice, where appropriate and relevant.

On funding for the maintenance of the harbours, the Deputy will recall that in December 1995 the Department provided State grant assistance of £60,000 to Dublin Port and Docks Board towards the cost of a significant programme of remedial and renovation works. It was apportioned to meet 50 per cent of the cost of the works. Dublin Port's berthing master is satisfied that this money was spent to best advantage. I understand the fishermen were also pleased.

Mr. Sargent

Not true.

Mr. Gilmore

There are many fishermen who would be glad to secure investment in their harbours. The State grant was made available as an exceptional measure. No further funding will be made available by the Department towards the cost of maintenance or development works at the harbours.

On 11 February, my ministerial colleague, Deputy Barrett, gave a commitment to visit both harbours. He intends to visit them before they are transferred to the county council. Arrangements for the visit will be made early after Easter.

The Dáil adjourned at 5.20 p.m. until 1 p.m. on Wednesday, 19 March 1997.