My Department owns, operates and maintains six designated State-owned Fishery Harbour Centres as provided for under statute, located at Castletownbere, Dingle, Dunmore East, Howth, Killybegs and Ros An Mhíl. 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 Marine Works (Ireland) Act 1902, and piers, lights and beacons constructed under the auspices of the Congested Districts Board.
The six Fishery Harbour Centres are strategically positioned in the six locations to further develop a modern offshore Irish fishing fleet and attract the large offshore fishing vessels of other Member States to maximise landings and drive the development of a modern onshore processing industry.
Greencastle Harbour is an important fishery harbour which is owned by Donegal County Council . Under the existing statutory arrangements responsibility for its maintenance and development rests with that Local Authority in the first instance and its parent Department, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage thereafter. However, my Department has and currently provides funding to Greencastle under the Local Authority Harbours infrastructure programme and requests submitted by Donegal County Council under the terms of that Programme in relation to Greencastle will be considered for funding.