Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 2 April 2019
381. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when works are to commence on the Killybegs Harbour project; the duration of the project; the timeline for its completion; the full extent of the works being proposed as part of the current phase of works sanctioned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15047/19]
View answerMy Department owns, operates and maintains six designated State-owned Fishery Harbour Centres, located at Castletownbere, Dingle, Dunmore East, Howth, Killybegs and Ros An Mhíl under statute. In addition, my Department also has responsibility for the upkeep and maintenance of North Harbour at Cape Clear, as well as the maintenance of a small number of specific piers, lights and beacons throughout Ireland, in accordance with the 1902 ex-congested Districts Board piers, lights and Beacons Act.
Between the years 2010 to 2018, as part of my Department’s Fishery Harbour and Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme, in excess of €20 million has been invested in maintenance, development and upgrading works at Killybegs Fishery Centre.
The Harbour has been attracting increasing levels of fishing, commercial cargo and cruise liner activity and the need for additional berthage has been recognised. The Smooth Point project, when complete, will provide a much needed additional 120 metres quay space.
Because some of the material to be dredged was contaminated, the project was divided into two phases. Work on phase 1 of the project, which entailed the dredging and removal of the contaminated material, commenced in 2017 and was completed in 2018, the total cost of this phase including preparation, permitting and design costs stands at €6.5m.
I have announced the details of a €35.7m Fishery Harbour and Coastal Development Capital Programme for 2019. Killybegs has been allocated in excess of €5m this year of which €4m is earmarked for phase 2 of the Smooth Point project.
Phase 2 involves the dredging of the remaining uncontaminated material and construction of the 120 metres of berthing space. The timeline for this phase of the project remains as previously outlined to the Deputy on the 12 of February of this year.
My Department's engineers have finalised the tender documents with a view to commencing a public tender exercise in early April 2019. Following completion of the tender process, it is hoped to award a contract to the successful tenderer in July, with mobilisation on site to begin in August. I am confident that the timeline for the commencement of this phase, as outlined, will be met. Phase 2 has an estimated overall project duration of twelve months, however the final costs and timeline will only be determined following the competitive tendering process.
