Vol. 560 No. 3
292 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if funding has been provided to the Westport Harbour Commissioners Board in relation to the project that was announced by the Minister, Deputy Fahey; if the project will go ahead; and if the money that was promised by February 2002 by the Minister has been paid to the Westport Harbour board. [2556/03]
As the Deputy is aware, Westport Harbour Commissioners have lodged an application for grant aid under the seaports measure of the National Development Plan 2000-2006 in respect of certain developments under their integrated development plan.
In December 2002 I approved a payment of €94,276 to Westport Harbour Commissioners in respect of matured liabilities incurred on the project to date and I understand that this has been received by the harbour commissioners. I am currently reviewing allocations of grant aid across the entire spectrum of seaports investment measures under the national development plan in the context of the need for a more systematic and prioritised approach to allocations, competing needs and the current Exchequer budget position.
In light of the current Exchequer budget position my Department has written to the commissioners in relation to the completion of the investment programme and advised that there can be no expectation of any further funding and accordingly that they should not enter into any further contractual commitments at the present time.
