Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 18 September 2013
1227. Deputy Ciara Conway asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to the need for the harbour in Dunmore East, County Waterford, to be dredged; if he will ensure that funding for the dredging is made available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38580/13]
View answerDunmore East Fishery Harbour Centre in County Waterford is one of the six designated Fishery Harbour Centres which are owned, managed and maintained by my Department. The need for dredging works at the harbour is indeed recognised by my Department. Reports commissioned have indicated that 80% of the harbour sediment contains Tributyltin (TBT). Unfortunately the costs associated with the disposal of dredge spoil containing TBT is significantly higher than for material that does not contain TBT.
Department officials are currently actively engaged in examining various options to choose the optimum dredging solution and disposal of the resulting dredge spoil. On completion of their examination the position will be reassessed in the context of available exchequer funding and other national priorities.
