Written Answers - Marine Safety.
Dinny McGinley
Question:
82
Mr. McGinley
asked the
Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources
if his attention has been drawn to the urgent need to have safety markings on the estuary or the bar at Ballyshannon Harbour, County Donegal, in the interests of safety; and when these markings will be put in place.
[24576/98]
Representations have been made to me by Ballyshannon Harbour Commissioners and others in relation to the provision of channel marking at Ballyshannon Harbour.
I am advised that marking of the channel as required for navigation purposes would cost in the region of £50,000. There is not provision in my Department's Vote for such an expenditure.
I can advise that a recently completed EU funded study of Irish commercial seaport capacity confirmed that there has been no sea-going commercial activity at Ballyshannon since the 1950s with only the occasional pleasure boat using the facility. The study confirms that the navigation marks at the side of the channel have deteriorated and need replacement and that prospects for development of yacht and pleasure boat facilities exist, if safe access is provided along the four mile navigable channel.
My Department has been in touch with Donegal County Council who have agreed to the transfer of the harbour to local authority control, as provided for under the Harbours Act, 1996. I also intend to raise the matter with the Minister for the Environment and Local Government, Deputy Noel Dempsey, whose consent is required for the transfer.
The Deputy should also be aware that the Government's An Action Programme for the Millennium identifies as a key priority "transferring small harbours to local control to develop marine leisure activities" in the context of securing and enhancing the livelihoods of the coastal communities who depend on the sea for their future. Partnership 2000 also commits to "review the strategic options for the future development and management of declining commercial regional ports". Furthermore, the strategy statement 1998 – 2000 of the Department of the Marine and Natural Resources commits as a key objective "to facilitate the restructuring of the roles of sub-regional ports".
Within these contexts, I have initiated a review of all State regional ports and harbours which fall under the Harbours Act, 1946, including Ballyshannon.
Consultants KPMG Ltd. have been appointed and have commenced their work. All 16 regional harbours covered by the review will be consulted fully.
For harbours such as Ballyshannon which have long since become defunct in terms of commercial traffic the review provides an ideal opportunity to decide the best future options for development.
Of particular relevance to Ballyshannon will be the consultants' remit which includes assessment and recommendations on the preparation of a strategic framework for future development; best use of assets and future financing, and potential future uses including for marine leisure.
The consultants will welcome submissions from interested persons or bodies and a public consultation process has been initiated through the national and local press.
The consultants will report back to me within a tight timeframe (by February next) and I intend to publish the review findings including conclusions on future development and financing options for Ballyshannon Harbour.
