Vol. 491 No. 4
11 Mr. Sheehan asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources when he will provide funding for the £15 million development plan for Castletownbere fishery port, County Cork in view of the fact the proposal was submitted to his Department in September 1997. [12442/98]
The Castletownebere users committee submitted a consultancy report last September outlining development proposals for the Castletownbere Fishery Harbour Centre. This was a very useful first step in quantifying and assessing the infrastructural needs at Castletownbere. It was agreed that further detailed analysis of the needs of the fishing industry and the development options were required. Accordingly, the Department agreed to commission a detailed technical assessment of the Castletownbere Fishery Harbour Centre which would inform and underpin future investment decisions. In January 1998, following a tendering process, I appointed Coopers & Lybrand management consultants to undertake a comprehensive cost benefit analysis of the infrastructural requirements at Castletownbere to service the fishing and processing sectors and other downstream industries. The consultants were mandated to recommend appropriate investment and development strategies on foot of their analysis. The consultants have been engaged in considerable research on the ground and have met local interests to determine their priorities for the development of the port. I expect to receive the completed report next month. I will make the report available to the Castletownbere port users and other interested parties with a view to getting their response and feedback on the proposals. I will make the report available to spokespersons and other interested Deputies. Future funding decisions will be fully informed by the report and the consultative process. I have already signalled to Government that I will pursue funding for development at Castletownbere and other major fishery harbours in the coming months.
As the time for Priority Questions is concluded we will take this question in ordinary time.
Will the Minister state the priorities as regards the fishery port development plan for Castletownbere given that a comprehensive plan was submitted to the Department? Was there any need for a further report from Coopers & Lybrand? The Minister has better information on that matter. However, given that the Minister is committed to spending £20 million on the Killybegs port development project, will he make a similar commitment to the Castletownbere port development plan as it is one of the largest fishing ports in the country?
The Deputy is catching up. The port users engaged John O'Donovan and Associates consultant engineers to produce development plans for the harbour. That report was to produce an outline proposal on infrastructure and building projects. It produced a recommendation for a development costing in the region of £15 million, excluding fees and VAT so the figure would not be far short of £20 million.
The report recommends a number of further studies including a feasibility study to determine the viability and market prospects for the proposed development. This was an engineering report and the authors suggested there should be a broader investigation. The Coopers & Lybrand study will look specifically at: sufficiency of berthage for existing and future fleet levels; developments in the Irish fleet and, in particular, the Castletownbere fleet; possible developments in the Common Fisheries Policy; dredge levels in the harbour and approaches; the existing and future levels of fish processing activity in the Castletownbere region; the levels of activity in ancillary sectors such as chandlery and repair and the infrastructural options for development and costings associated with each of these options. That study will give a comprehensive report on the harbour and its future.
Deputy Sheehan mentioned Killybegs. I have indicated that I plan to bring a number of proposals to Government in the near future as we have to take a serious look at some of our major harbours and their requirements.
Will the Minister agree that the ice plant in Castletownbere is obsolete? Will he also agree that spending £80,000 upgrading that plant is not a feasible solution and will he review the situation? The plan submitted to him includes provision for a new ice plant to be constructed on Dinish island. Will he make this his number one priority, even in the plan to be submitted by Coopers & Lybrand? This would be a major step in the development programme for the harbour. I agree that Coopers & Lybrand have probably made a more comprehensive report——
The Deputy should ask a question.
Will the Minister give a commitment that he will advise the Government to provide funding for the £15 million port development plan for Castletownbere, one of the largest fishing ports in the country?
Deputy McGinley is getting very nervous.
I will get the detail on the ice plant. However, I am aware that the existing plant is old, there is a need for a replacement and BIM is examining this matter. I will pursue the matter following the Deputy's reminder.
I have already signalled to Government that I will pursue funding for a number of these developments. Unfortunately there are a number of ports. These ports are becoming more important. We predicted this some years ago but it is happening now. They are doing and will continue to do more business. I am trying to get the message across that we must provide the infrastructure. All of the money previously provided for infrastructure is taken up because the projects are there. I assure the Deputy that I will press this matter.
Deputy Sheehan's supplementary question prompted my supplementary. The estimated cost of the Castletownbere development is in the region of £15 million. The Minister indicted that the Killybegs development will shortly go ahead at a cost of £20 million. Are these two developments being financed out of the same fund? Is the Minister sure he has the funding for both projects, particularly Killybegs which is the major fishing port?
There is an argument on that side of the House.
Deputy Sheehan stated that Castletownbere is one of the most important ports. I am saying that Killybegs is the most important. There is no disagreement.
The Deputy is weakening his case.
I am sure Deputy Coughlan and Pat The Cope Gallagher would agree with Deputy McGinley. These are two important ports which are delivering major business and jobs. Both will be included in the plans I am putting to Government which I want to see progressed.
I suppose Castletownbere should have the last word. It is the leading white fish port in the country.
I was nearly going to say that but I decided to leave it to the Deputy.
There are two aspects involved the first being EU funding. Proposals are being put together for the next tranche of EU funding and I would wish to see Castletownbere included in the Minister's plans for any such proposals. I hope he will be able to give such an assurance to the House. Even though the final report is not to hand he must be aware that there is a need for major investment and it is a worthwhile investment. Second, the Minister has talked about pressing the Government. In his own list of priorities does he accept that Castletownbere is one of the main priorities and must be funded from wherever the money comes?
The Minister of State, Deputy Byrne, says "yes" after Duncannon and Killybegs. Obviously it is a priority. I might have said "after Union Hall". Union Hall has done extremely well during the years. Some believed it did not have a future.
There is wonderful investment and wonderful activity as a consequence.
On the application for EU funding, the Deputy can take it that funding will be sought in the next round for Castletownbere and Killybegs. A number of other key ports require further development leading to job creation. This is vital. In County Donegal where there has been substantial job creation in the hinterland any port which can contribute must be supported The leisure sector must also be developed. The Deputy can take it that people in his neighbouring constituency are anxious to secure development.
Are there funds available under the operational programme for the development of fishery harbours? Is it not the case that further development in Killybegs and Castletownbere would have to be funded exclusively from the Exchequer?
One of the difficulties is that moneys were allocated——
Are there funds available under the operational programme which cover the period up to 1999?
No. If there is an adjustment, we might secure additional funds. We will pursue all sources.
