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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 21 Mar 2001

Vol. 533 No. 1

Written Answers. - Harbours and Piers.

P. J. Sheehan

Question:

51 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 improvements to Baltimore Fishery Harbour, County Cork. [7382/01]

As the Deputy may be aware, a major independent review of the State's 16 commercial regional ports, including Baltimore Harbour, was published in 1999. The review develops a general strategic framework for the ports and harbours concerned which aims to maximise their financial sustainability, their contribution to strategic maritime policy objectives and socio-economic impacts.

In Baltimore's case the independent consultancy review recommends that the harbour be transferred to Cork County Council. Baltimore and Skibbereen Harbour Commissioners have indicated that they believe the best way forward is for the county council to take over the running of the harbour.

The development requirements of Baltimore Harbour can only be considered in the context of such a transfer; competing demands for funding from the other regional ports which were the subject of the review; the overall priorities for coastal infrastructural development and in the light of funding available under the National Development Plan, 2000-2006.

I am aware that Baltimore Harbour Commissioners have submitted a comprehensive development plan, costed at some £8 million, which recommends the segregation of existing harbour activities – fishing, ferry service to islands and boating – enabled by dredging, breakwater construction, north pier Improvements, South Pier Improvements, dinghy park and a new marina. However, while Baltimore Harbour continues to operate under the Harbours Act, 1946, it is defunct in terms of commer cial traffic and has very little income with revenue returns, mainly from recreational users, of less than £10,000 in each of the last four years.
The seaports measure of the NDP will, set against the transformation of the key commercial seaports, assist the smaller regional harbours and ports whose operation in cargo handling is uneconomic, uncompetitive and unsustainable into the future, by investment in the transition to alternative uses, to ensure that they will continue to play a worthwhile and beneficial role in the local economies. The type of actions that are envisaged to be supported would include the preparation of area action-integrated development plans, feasibility studies and cost benefit analysis as well as design, planning and construction of appropriate waterfront development initiatives.
In July last year I visited and inspected facilities at Baltimore Harbour. Following an in-depth discussion with the chairman, secretary and commissioners of Baltimore and Skibbereen Harbour Authority in relation to the harbour development plan, I confirmed that my Department would: co-finance the construction of a car park with a subvention of £125,000; liaise with the local authority and the Department of Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands in respect of Exchequer and-or national development plan financing for the development plan; and assist the Baltimore and Skibbereen Harbour Commissioners to update the technical and financial aspects of the development plan.
These actions will be progressed with the co-operation of the commissioners and Cork County Council. However, it would be inappropriate to raise any expectations, given the current and prospective development of traffic and revenue earning capacity at Baltimore, that I will be in a position to provide substantial grant assistance to the port.
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