Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 21 October 2004
15 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources his plans for the upgrading of ports and harbours throughout the country; if he has in mind an integrated plan in this regard. [25780/04]
View answer79 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources his priorities for the upgrading of ports, harbours or marinas throughout the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25777/04]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 15 and 79 together.
The Department has been progressing work on a comprehensive ports policy statement. It is intended that this policy statement will be published soon following approval by the Government. This policy statement has been informed by the conclusions of the high level review of the State commercial ports and by an open consultation process conducted by the Department with industry stakeholders. This process has provided many valuable insights and perspectives into the needs of the sector and the operation of the State port companies.
The policy statement will provide the overall framework for the operation of the State port companies and for the development of the sector into the future as part of the nation's integrated transport system. The policy statement addresses a range of key issues, including seaport capacity and funding, competition, regulation and privatisation. It also seeks to better equip the State port companies for the challenges of the future through clarified commercial remits, enhanced integration of transport policy, and shareholder support for private sector involvement and for mergers of port companies. The central objective of the policy statement is to equip the ports better to address capacity constraints and to open up the possibility of State funding in narrow, closely specified circumstances.
In regard to regional harbours which have little or no commercial shipping traffic, the long-standing policy of the Department is to transfer these harbours to local authority control for reasons of good governance and to enable them to realise their local amenity potential. To this end, the Department is engaged in discussions with the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government with a view to reaching agreement on the modalities for the transfer of these regional harbours to local authority control.
The Department has no direct responsibility for managing or upgrading marinas, which are generally privately owned or, in some cases, supported by local authorities and community development groups. The Department acted as implementing authority for the marine tourism grant scheme, a sub-measure of the main tourism measure, to which €25 million was allocated under the national development plan. This scheme was designed to promote marine tourism by the provision of marine access infrastructure, such as marinas, piers and slipways. However, due to budgetary constraints, the scheme was suspended in December 2002 and no projects were supported under the scheme.
The national development plan sets out the programme objectives for fishery harbour development. The plan provides €84.35 million for capital investment in fishery harbours infrastructure and facilities over the period 2000-06. Up to the end of 2003, the Department has spent €83.44 million under this programme. The total allocation for 2004 is €17.141 million. Some €9 million has been made available this year to complete the €50 million development at Killybegs fishery harbour centre.
This year's allocation includes funding for various other projects including funds to progress the development of Dinish Wharf extension and Auction Hall at Castletownbere fishery harbour centre; the development of new ferry berths at Rossaveel fishery harbour centre — this development will be jointly funded by the Department and the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs; the development options at Dunmore East fishery harbour centre; and the upgrading and modernisation of Port Oriel, Clogherhead, which is owned by Louth County Council — the County Council will contribute 25% of the cost of this development. Funding is also approved for 24 projects at smaller harbours and landing places right around the coast to meet the needs of local fishing and aquaculture interests and coastal communities.
