asked the Minister for Fisheries and Forestry the present position regarding the dredging of Burtonport harbour, County Donegal, and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions Oral Answers. - Burtonport (Donegal) Harbour.
9.
My Department are committed to the dredging of Burtonport harbour and its approach channel. Every effort will be made to have the work included in the 1986 fishery harbour works programme subject to the availability of funds in the light of works carried on from the current year and new works already committed for 1986.
Can the Minister give any commitment as to when finance for this programme will be available and can he tell us also the percentage grant that Roinn na Gaeltachta will provide and also where the extra moneys will come from?
I cannot give full commitment. I can only answer the question in the light of the works carried out in the current year and those in respect of which there is a commitment in 1986. If moneys are available the work will be done. On the question of the grants, my Department will put up 75 per cent while Donegal County Council are being requested to provide the remaining 25 per cent.
As the person responsible for this area, can the Minister advise the House as to what is the position regarding the commitment given a few years ago by the Government whereby 50 per cent would have been provided by the Department of Fisheries and 50 per cent by Roinn na Gaeltachta?
That commitment was given in 1982 but Roinn na Gaeltachta failed to provide their 50 per cent portion. A decision was taken by my Department to request the county council to provide 25 per cent and the conditions were changed with the Department providing 75 per cent. That arrangement stands.
In view of the difficult financial circumstances in local authorities, would the Minister do his utmost to impress on Roinn na Gaeltachta the necessity to provide the other 25 per cent in order to ensure that the moneys are made available immediately?
I will take up the Deputy's request but I cannot give any guarantee that my efforts will be successful.