Fergus O'Dowd
Question:441 Mr. O'Dowd asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources his plans for the improvement of Clogherhead Port, County Louth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13793/02]
Written Answers. - Port Development.
The harbour at Clogherhead is owned by Louth County Council and responsibility for its maintenance and development lies with the local authority. Funding of €247,969.30 was provided over the past two years for safety works, minor improvements and surfacing. A portion of the funding provided in 2001 was in respect of a cost benefit analysis of the local authority's development proposals for the harbour. This cost benefit analysis is now nearing completion and I expect the county council to submit the findings to my Department for consideration in the near future. Funding allocation will be informed by the findings of the cost benefit analysis. However, under the national development plan, funding for major fishery harbour development work is substantially oversubscribed at this point. Future capital development of Clogherhead will be assessed in the light of the cost benefit analysis and the overall funding envelope available.