Vol. 482 No. 7
64 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources if he will allocate funds for the development of Helvick Harbour, County Waterford to improve inadequate fish landing facilities there; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19234/97]
65 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources if he will allocate funds for the urgent repair and development of Dungarvan Pier and Harbour, County Waterford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19235/97]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 64 and 65 together.
Dungarvan and Helvick piers are owned by Waterford County Council and responsibility for their repair and maintenance rests with the local authority.
While Waterford County Council is also primarily responsible for development of landing and other facilities at these locations, the Department of the Marine and Natural Resources provides aid for development works at fishery harbours. Funding for such works is limited and is being focused in the main on a small number of strategic harbours. It is unlikely therefore, that aid can be provided from funds available to my Department for works at Dungarvan and Helvick in the immediate future. I will, however, keep the matter under review, in light of the resources available, in the drawing up of my Department's programmes for fishery harbours development in 1998 and subsequent years.
