asked the Minister for Fisheries and Forestry if he is aware of the congestion in Kilmore Quay, County Wexford, and of the constraints on the most productive fishing fleet in Ireland; if, as a matter, of urgency, he will upgrade the harbour to major harbour status to help develop it in order to properly accommodate the fleet; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Kilmore Quay (Wexford) Fishery Harbour.
27.
With regard to the upgrading of Kilmore Quay, I assume that the Deputy is referring to the possible designation of the harbour as a fishery harbour centre under the Fishery Harbour Centres Acts. As I explained to the Deputy in reply to a similar question on 31 January 1984, the position is that, having considered a report on fishery harbours in this country by an internationally recognised harbour consultant, the Government decided in 1967 that five fishery harbour centres should be established. Dunmore East was the location chosen in the south east region. The Government decision was given statutory effect by the Fishery Harbour Centres Acts, 1968 and 1980. I have no proposals to increase the number of fishery harbour centres.
As I indicated in reply to a further question by the Deputy on 6 December last, plans for major improvements at Kilmore Quay harbour have been prepared by the Office of Public Works and are being examined in my Department in the light of the costs involved and the funds available for fishery harbour works generally. I am not in a position to say at this stage what the outcome of that examination will be.