Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 16 January 2014
284. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the assistance he will make available for the repair of piers, slips, sea walls and other defences destroyed in the recent storms; when this assistance will be made available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2058/14]
View answerMy Department is responsible for the six Fishery Harbour Centres located at Howth, Dunmore East, Castletownbere, Dingle, Rossaveel and Killybegs. The Fishery Harbour Centres provide essential services and facilities to the fishing industry around the coastline of Ireland. My Department also has responsibility for North Harbour at Cape Clear Island and for maintaining a range of Piers, Lights and Beacons around the coast in accordance with the 1902 ex-congested Districts Board piers, lights and Beacons act.
The repairs to Local Authority owned piers and harbours, and other coastal defences remain in the first instance the responsibility of the relevant Local Authority. My Department is a representative on the National Coordination Group on Severe Weather, convened to assess the impact of the storms on infrastructure and communities and to ensure a co-ordinated response by relevant local authorities, Government Departments and Agencies. The Government is considering the appropriate course of action to deal with the impacts of the recent storms nationally.
