asked the Minister for Fisheries and Forestry the reasons for the delay in proceeding with the expansion of facilities at Ros a' Mhíl harbour; and if he will outline planned improvements.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Galway Harbour.
4.
I am awaiting receipt of the overall development plan and estimates of cost for the harbour which is being prepared by the Office of Public Works. I understand that the plan, which is based on the recommendation of the Ros a'Mhíl Harbour Development Advisory Committee, is nearing completion and will be sent to my Department shortly. Pending examination of it by my Department, I cannot give details of the improvements proposed.
Will the Minister of State say when the advisory committee last had a meeting?
I am afraid that information is not in my brief.
The Minister of State in his reply said that the plans for the expansion of the Ros a'Mhíl harbour are based on the recommendations of the advisory committee. Surely he must be aware when that committee last held a meeting?
I am not aware of the date of their last meeting. I am telling the Deputy that the proposals are now with my Department for examination and we are awaiting the result of that examination.
Will the Minister of State agree that this advisory committee have not had a meeting for many years, that the proposals they made many years ago have been lying in his Department ever since and that the results of the Department's deliberations have not been made available? The delay in dealing with the matter is holding up the development of a major fishery harbour in the west and is also causing a hold-up in the establishment of a new industry in that area based on the processing of fishery products. The area has high unemployment. The factories in question are urgently required and the longer the Department delay——
I appeal to Deputies not to insist on making speeches at Question Time.
The people in the area will be deprived of an opportunity to work in these factories that are anxious to establish in that locality.
It is my understanding that the work of the advisory committee is now complete. Their proposals are before my Department and when the assessment is made the matter will be put before the Dáil.
That sounds lovely to somebody who does not know what the Minister is talking about.
It is the truth.
The proposals were made many years ago. I am asking the Minister of State why there has been such a long delay in dealing with them. When will the final decisions be made by the Department and when will there be some action in providing the expansion at Ros a'Mhíl harbour which is urgently needed? Is the Minister of State aware that sometimes 40 or 50 trawlers wish to land fish at Ros a'Mhíl but there is only room there for three trawlers to come alongside the berthage?
There is a major problem in relation to all harbours and Ros a'Mhíl is no worse than any other harbour. We are waiting for the assessments to be made of the advisory committee's proposals and when they are made Ros a'Mhíl will get the same consideration as every other harbour when we see what funds are available.