l thank the Ceann Comhairle for allowing me to raise this matter on the Adjournment and the Minister of State for being present in the House to respond.
Burtonport, a fishing village on the west Donegal coast about four miles from Dungloe, has a population of approximately 300. The economy of the village is primarily based on fishing, tourism and agriculture. The harbour, which is one of the busiest in the country, specialises in white fish, though diversification into pelagic and nonquota species is being developed. The three fish processing centres in the village employ several hundred people during the season. Much of the development and activity is generated by the very active fishermen's co-operative. The harbour is the terminal for the Arranmore ferry service and home port and base for approximately 60 fishing vessels which range in size from 40 feet to more than 60 feet in length.
Two and a half years ago Burtonport was selected by the International Fund for Ireland for funding under its fishing villages initiative. Under this imaginative programme an exciting development is planned comprising a heritage centre, marina, industrial park in conjunction with Údarás na Gaeltachta and Donegal County Council, marine tourism centre with visitors facilities and, eventually, a state of the art aquarium. The campaign for this exciting development has been spearheaded by the very active progressive and effective Burtonport Development Association, Coiste Forbartha Ailt a' Chorrain.
For many years sewage disposal facilities in Burtonport have been completely inadequate. The village depends on an old two foot by two foot stone dyke pipe underneath the road. About 200 metres of this stone pipe runs level with the road and is continuously full. The raw untreated overflow spills into the harbour. In addition, there is the effluent from the fish processing enterprises. The blend is polluting the entire harbour area and creating conditions that would be completely unacceptable in the remotest part of the world, let alone in a town like Burtonport which is a centre for tourism and fish processing in this area.
The people of Burtonport have been campaigning and lobbying for many years for a modern up-to-date sewerage scheme. At times, they were led to believe that a scheme was granted and approved. Two years ago they were told that the proposals for Burtonport, together with those of Gweedore and Ardara, were submitted to the European Commission for funding under the Donegal Gaeltacht coastal area schemes. However, according to the latest available information Burtonport has once more been bypassed. Further development in the village is now severely curtailed due to the lack of such a basic infrastructural requirement as a sewerage scheme.
There are many exciting developments envisaged for Burtonport in the future, for example, a harbour extension, dredging of the channel, the lFI project and an industrial park. However, we are failing to provide the very basic requirement of a sewerage scheme. During 1985-6 when the water mains were extended to Burtonport harbour arrangements were made to lay pipes under the new pier to provide an out-fall for the expected sewerage scheme. The pipe is still there but the sewerage scheme has not materialised.
As Burtonport no longer seems to be considered for Structural Funds under the Operational Programme for Environmental Services or the INTERREG 2 initiative, it is dependent on the national Exchequer for funding. It is not a hugely expensive scheme — the estimated cost is in the region of £3 million. Compared to other schemes it would be considered a small project. In the interests of the fishing industry, employment in the area, the tourism industry and the exciting development planned for Burtonport, I request the Minister to have a sympathetic look at this scheme and initiate the process that will allow it to commence and be brought to conclusion during his term in office. If he does this he will always be remembered with kindness and gratitude by the people of Burtonport.
I am delighted to see Deputy Gilmore in the House as he became familiar with the difficulties in Burtonport during his time as Minister of State.
Ba mhaith liom a rá mar fhocal scor go bhfuil géar-ghá le scéim cheart séarachais a chur ar fáil do Alt a'Chorráin. Baile speisialta agus baile tábhachtach e do thionscan na hiascaireachta, tionscal na turasoireachta agus don bhad farantoireachta go hÁrainn Mhor. Tá an scéim atá ann faoi láthair beagnach 100 bliain d'aois agus muna ndéantar rud éigin gan mhoill is cinnte go gcuirifdh se isteach ar fhorbairt bhreise sa bhaile, ar fhostaiocht, ar thurasoireacht agus ar thionscal na hiascaireachta.
