asked the Minister for Transport and Power if he will make a statement on the future development of Wexford Harbour.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Wexford Harbour Development.
90.
Under the provisions of the Harbours Act, 1946, responsibility for the management of Wexford harbour and for the provision of whatever facilities might be required for vessels, cargo and passengers using the harbour, is vested in the Wexford Harbour Commissioners.
Due to silting and the financial inability of the Harbour Commissioners to undertake essential dredging, the harbour has been closed to traffic since 1962. Since then the Harbour Commissioners have, from time to time, sought State aid to finance various schemes designed to resolve the silting problem at the harbour. On examination none of these schemes has been found to have sufficient technical merit to warrant consideration of State assistance. A recent application by the commissioners for a grant towards the cost of a survey by consulting engineers as a preliminary to the preparation of a revised scheme, is at present under examination. A decision on this application will be reached without delay.