Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 2 Mar 2000

Vol. 515 No. 5

Written Answers. - Harbours and Piers.

David Stanton

Question:

48 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources if, further to his meeting in 1998 with a deputation from Ballycotton Development Association, County Cork, he has considered the proposals made to him; the action, if any, he has taken or will take with regard to the further maintenance and development of the pier and breakwater at Ballycotton harbour; the responsibility, if any, his Department has towards the maintenance and development of the harbour; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6508/00]

Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources (Mr. Fahey)

The harbour at Ballycotton is owned by Cork County Council, which is responsible for maintenance or development of its facilities. Accordingly, it is a matter for the local authority, in the first instance, to determine what works may be required at the harbour.

Extensive proposals for works at the harbour were put to my Department last year by the Ballycotton Development Association. Cork County Council subsequently informed my Department that it supported the association's proposals and requested financial assistance to allow the proposed works to be undertaken on a phased basis.

The question of grant aid for the proposed works will have to be addressed in the context of the overall development needs at fishery harbours, the relative priority of such works and the funding available for them. I am pleased to inform the Deputy that funding has already been made available for repairs to the breakwater, and that further monies will be provided in the current year to allow those works to be completed.

David Stanton

Question:

49 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources if, further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 132 of 23 March 1999, 144 of 19 October 1999 and 91 of 11 November 1999, he has satisfied himself that seabed levelling has been carried out in the aftermath of dredging operations which have taken place in Cork harbour; if he has further satisfied himself that any such seabed levelling operations have been completed satisfactorily; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6509/00]

Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources (Mr. Fahey)

As my predecessor advised the Deputy in previous replies on this matter, a post-dredge survey was carried out in February 1998 and furnished to my Department. The report showed that the extraction of material had been confined to the areas licensed under the Foreshore Acts.

My Department is not aware of any difficulties with obstacles on the seabed following the dredging operation and no complaints have been received to date.

Should local fishermen or other users of the harbour report any specific difficulties in this regard, I can assure the Deputy that such complaints will be investigated promptly.

Brian O'Shea

Question:

50 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the proposals, if any, he has for dredging the harbour at Cheekpoint, County Waterford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6511/00]

Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources (Mr. Fahey)

The position is that Cheekpoint Harbour falls within the jurisdiction of Waterford County Council and the responsibility for its maintenance rests with the local authority.

I am advised, however, by the Port of Waterford Company that works carried out some years ago by the port to improve access to Belview Port did result in some siltation of the approach channel to Cheekpoint Harbour. During 1996-97, as part of a significant dredging campaign, the company dredged the approach channel and restored adequate access to Cheekpoint Harbour.

The Port of Waterford Company has advised that it has continued to maintain the approaches to the channel on an "as needs" basis and has assured my Department that it will continue to do so.