Vol. 533 No. 1
28 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources if his Department received correspondence from Wicklow County Council on 20 November 2000 outlining proposals for Greystones Harbour and the north beach; if so, his views on these proposals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7612/01]
I presume the Deputy is referring to correspondence dated 20 November 2000 which the Wicklow county manager addressed to the Department of the Environment and Local Government and which was copied to my Department. The correspondence outlined a profile of the project currently being promoted by Wicklow County Council which involves development of the Greystones Harbour and north beach area involving, among other things, a marina, coastal protection works and a residential development.
I understand the council, in copying the correspondence to my Department, has made specific proposals for changes in the tax code by the Minister for Finance which the council believes will assist in attracting financial backers whose participation is crucial to the project's success. In particular, these proposals are aimed at amending current tax incentive schemes to include marina developments and coastal protection works approved by my Department. At present my Department's role in approving coastal developments is confined to issuing foreshore leases under the Foreshore Acts, 1933-88. The foreshore lease focuses primarily on the physical effect of the development and involves consultation, planning permission and a public notice process.
The general direction for marine tourism development for the next six years is set in the national development plan and more specifically the marine tourism grant scheme which will be administered by my Department. The grant scheme, which is currently being developed in consultation with the Department of Tourism, Sport and Recreation for launch later this year, will be targeted at improving marine tourism access infrastructure and encouraging integrated development and co-operative partnerships, particularly in relation to networks and clusters.
While I would generally support the project being promoted by Wicklow County Council, particularly as it appears to be broadly in line with the criteria my Department will set down under the forthcoming scheme, nevertheless, I must stress that the proposals put forward in relation to amendments to the tax code are entirely a matter for the Minister for Finance. My Department has no role in pursuing such proposals. It has, however, indicated to the Greystones Harbour Plan Liaison Committee that it will be happy to look at any draft terms of reference which might be drawn up for a tax implications study aimed at examining this issue more closely, focusing in particular on the inclusion of elements in such projects which meet public policy objectives such as coast protection.
I thank the Minister for his comprehensive reply. Is he aware that at present Greystones Harbour is suffering from coastal erosion, which is a difficulty along the east coast? There is an opportunity to have the work carried out without a cost to the Exchequer per se, while the council has indicated it is willing to make a contribution in kind by way of a site. Is the Minister aware of the proposal to develop a community harbour as opposed to a marina? The proposal is for 280 berths and the Irish coastguard sea scouts and anglers are seeking a public park. I am pleased the Minister indicated that he will consider positively any application from Wicklow County Council. Will he confirm that he believes the project is a good idea in principle? Will he use whatever influence he can at Cabinet to get the Minister for Finance to consider including Greystones for special tax designation in the next Finance Bill so that this project can go ahead? Greystones has never benefited from the town renewal, urban renewal or seaside resort schemes.
The issue, in the first instance, is a matter for Wicklow County Council. My Department has invested heavily in Wicklow, while the biggest coastal erosion programme in the country is taking place in Bray. I am impressed with the whole concept proposed in respect of Greystones. I have had some discussions with the Minister for Finance on the general question of tax incentives for developments in coastal locations. In principle I support this type of proposal. However, this is a matter for the Minister for Finance, while the proposals being put forward are a matter for Wicklow County Council. I will be pleased to be supportive in whatever way possible.
29 Mr. Sheehan asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources if funding will be provided by his Department in the 2001 Estimates for the planned extension and construction of a breakwater and other works to Schull Fishery Harbour, County Cork. [7383/01]
Schull Pier is owned by Cork County Council and its repair, maintenance and development is the responsibility of the local authority in the first instance. While Cork County Council is primarily responsible for the development of facilities at Schull, the Department of the Marine and Natural Resources provides aid for development works at fishery harbours.
The strategic fishery harbour in the west Cork area is Castletownbere, for which I recently announced a major development package. The development provides for an extension of the existing wharf at Dinnish Island, together with the construction of an auction hall. The planning application in respect of this development was lodged recently with Cork County Council and I hope the development will commence before the end of the current year.
The national development plan provides, in total, £60 million for the upgrading and development of facilities at key strategic fishery harbours and landing places. New and improved facilities will also be provided at smaller harbours and landing places, which will provide essential structures for the fishery and aquaculture industries. My Department has an extensive list of proposals for development works, comprising projects submitted for consideration by local authorities and industry sources. These projects are considered and approved on a priority basis.
No proposals have been submitted by Cork County Council for the extension of a breakwater at Schull Pier. The scope for funding works at Schull will be kept under review by my Department in consultation with Cork County Council in light of available resources in future years.
While I appreciate and welcome the Minister's reply as far as Castletownbere is concerned, I am sure he realises there are more fishing ports in south-west Cork than Castletownbere. Schull is a very important fishing port with at least eight to ten trawler owners tying up in the harbour every weekend. I remind the Minister that this Government and previous Governments were very generous towards Union Hall fisheries harbour development which is now an excellent fisheries harbour in south-west Cork.
I am amazed that Cork County Council has not been in communication with the Department on the construction of a breakwater and extension of the pier in Schull. I understood following a meeting nine months ago with the fisheries section of Cork County Council that this proposal had gone to the Department, which the Minister says is not the case. However, there might be light at the end of the tunnel given that £60 million is being provided to upgrade and develop fishery harbours and landing places.
Schull, a predominant fishing port, is the only fishing harbour of which I am aware where trawler owners cannot tie up their vessels at the pier because of a lack of a breakwater in the harbour. It is of paramount importance that an allocation should be given to this area under the special fund that will be set up for the development of fisheries harbours throughout the country. The Minister's colleague, the Minister of State, spent a considerable amount of money in recent years in Dunmore East and in other areas in his constituency.
A good deal of money was spent in the Deputy's part of the country.
I would be pleased if the Minister would lend a sympathetic ear to my request on behalf of the people of Schull.
While I am anxious to shine a little light at the end of the tunnel for the Deputy, there are times when he tries to put in a bulb that is too strong, in the case of Castletownbere. I take the point he made. Irrespective of the number of pier projects one would like to undertake, one must prioritise them. It is especially significant that work is proceeding in Castletownbere, as are other smaller developments along the coast of south-west Cork. If the local people get their act together and submit a proposal, I will consider it.
I thank the Minister for that.
I support my colleague, Deputy Sheehan. I remind the Minister that the last time work was done in Schull it resulted from a visit to the area by Garret FitzGerald who took an interest in it and indicated that an application for the work would be favourably considered. That was in the 1980s. I encourage the Minister in the short time he has left in office to pay a visit to Schull and talk to the local fishermen who have talked to me and highlighted the need for further work to be done there. If he cannot give a green light at this stage, I ask him to give an amber one that might correspond with an application for the work from the county council, in which case progress could be made on the necessary work required in Schull. I encourage him to visit Schull to check the work that is required and to talk to the local fishermen following which he will understand the need for the work to be carried out.
I was wondering if the Deputies opposite were going to include the Minister, Deputy Walsh, in their making of this proposal.
The Blessed Trinity.
When I was Minister with responsibility for sport many years ago, I sought to ensure a good deal of money was allocated to Schull where the first sailing school in the country was established.
It is doing very well.
It is a special place. I must be honest and say that until such time as we receive a proposal, we will not be able to proceed any further.
