Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 13 July 2023
573. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will outline the assessment of the need for dredging of Howth Harbour, which his Department has completed; and if he will indicate his plans for the undertaking of needed work over the coming years. [35276/23]
View answerHowth Fishery Harbour Centre is one of the six designated Fishery Harbour Centres which are owned, managed and maintained by my Department under Statute.
My Department has plans for significant investment in a dredging and reclamation project for Howth Fishery Harbour Centre. The key objective of the project is to broaden the accessibility and navigability of the basin at Howth for all users and to re-use the material recovered from the seabed to create a new area of public realm. The land reclamation will provide a mix of recreational public access green areas, slipway access to the water for small craft and provide areas for business, harbour operations and transport. The ambitious and innovative project aims to integrate social, environmental and sustainability benefits to the community. Public consultation was held online during Covid-19 restrictions and the information page remains available online: gov.ie - Howth Harbour Dredging (www.gov.ie).
Planning permission for the development was issued by Fingal County Council on 5th August 2022. A third party appeal was subsequently lodged with An Bord Pleanála on 30th Aug 2022 and my Department is currently awaiting a decision. If the appeal decision is in favour of the development, my Department seek to secure any other consents required and proceed with procurement for the project.
