Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 29 June 2004
23 Dr. Twomey asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he has urgent recommendations to extend pier facilities at Kilmore Quay, County Wexford, in view of the restricted access to Waterford Harbour to fishing boats and the importance of the fishing industry to County Wexford. [19010/04]
View answerThe harbour at Kilmore Quay is owned by Wexford County Council and responsibility for its development and maintenance rests with the local authority in the first instance.
No proposals have been received from Wexford County Council to extend the pier facilities at Kilmore Quay, although I am aware of some local interest in such a development. My Department has, in the past, funded substantial development at the harbour including the provision of a new breakwater and dredging of the approach channel. Proposals for further development can only be entertained if the owners of the facility, Wexford County Council, make a submission to the Department and confirm that they are prepared to part fund the development. The only proposal on hand dates from April 2003 when Wexford County Council submitted an application for funding of €100,000 towards rock revetment and maintenance works at Kilmore Quay.
There is no funding available in 2004 under the fishery harbours development programme for works at Kilmore Quay. The question of funding the rock revetment works at Kilmore Quay will be addressed in the context of the amount of Exchequer funding available going forward and overall national priorities.
As regards the question of restricted access to Waterford Port for fishing boats, the Port of Waterford Company operates under the Harbours Acts 1996 and 2000. Under the Acts, the primary function of the company is the management, control, operation and development of its harbour ensuring that its revenues are sufficient to meet its expenditures. In the light of this statutory requirement the company informs me that it has been conducting a review of its non-core assets to determine the appropriateness of their retention in present circumstances.
The company now provides its core facilities for ships and goods at Belview, County Kilkenny. Accordingly, the property at the North Quays is one of the company's principal non-core assets and I am informed that the company is taking the preparatory steps necessary in order to be in a position to offer the property for sale. The only area in the port of Waterford where restricted access exists is in the North Quays. I am advised that access to the North Quays is to be extended for a period of one to two months on a week to week basis pending the resolution of outstanding issues in the preparation of the quays for sale.
I understand that investigations are ongoing regarding the provision of alternative facilities within the harbour for the large trawlers that have used the North Wharf and Frank Cassin Wharf as a refuge in bad weather. While initial negotiations were facilitated by a senior official from my Department, this is now a matter for the port company and the fishermen.
24 Mr. J. O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he intends to make funding available for the development of Adam’s Quay in Kinsale Harbour to facilitate the fishing fleet there in the near future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19300/04]
View answerUnder the National Development Plan 2000-2006, €84.35 million is allocated for capital investment in fishery harbours infrastructure and facilities. Up to the end of 2003, my Department spent €83.44 million under this programme. Exchequer funding of €21.14 million is allocated in respect of fishery harbours and related facilities for 2004.
Adam's Quay is owned by Kinsale Harbour Commissioners and responsibility for its repair and maintenance rests with the local authority in the first instance. I am aware of the significance of Kinsale Harbour which includes Adam's Quay as a fishery harbour and its importance to the local economy. In 2001, the Department provided funding of €76,088 to Kinsale Harbour Commissioners towards studies and investigations for the proposed development of Adam's Quay, costing a total of €101,450. Early in 2002, Kinsale Harbour Commissioners submitted a geophysical survey report and a ground investigation report to my Department for consideration. The proposed works include a quay development and an ice plant building and the total cost of construction is estimated at €1.4 million.
There is no funding available to my Department in 2004 under the fishery harbour development programme for work at Adam's Quay. I intend to promote the larger fishing harbours such as the five fishery harbour centres under the control of my Department as centres of excellence where only the best facilities and best practice will become the order of the day.
The question of funding development works at Adam's Quay in the post-2004 period will depend on the amount of funding available for works at fishery harbours generally and overall national priorities.
