asked the Minister for Communications the reason approval has not been given for the provision of crane equipment at Ringaskiddy, County Cork.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Ringaskiddy (Cork) Crane Equipment.
8.
Cork Harbour Commissioners applied to my Department for grant assistance for the provision of cranes at the deepwater berth at Ringaskiddy. Unfortunately, the application fell to be rejected as it is contrary to general policy to give grant assistance for the provision of plant and equipment, such as cranes. Moreover, budgetary considerations rule out any possibility of providing grant assistance towards the cost. In these circumstances, Cork Harbour Commissioners will have to seek alternative sources of finance in respect of the cost of the proposed cranes.
The Minister's reply was very unsatisfactory. Does he agree that there is a need for the crane equipment on this jetty which was fraught with difficulties during its construction? Does he agree that there is a grant of 50 per cent available from the EC and that 25 per cent of the cost is available from the harbour board? Without crane facilities the deepwater berth is like the pub with no beer——
A question, please.
If the deepwater berth without a crane is like the pub with no beer, will the Minister give an assurance that he will take all the necessary steps to sanction the 25 per cent required for the provision of this equipment? The Minister's reply is tantamount to saying that the Government have no function in this matter and that there is no money available for it.
The Deputy is making a very long-winded statement. This is Question Time.
I have a whole series of questions in that statement and I expect a more positive reply from the Minister. Does he agree that the need for the provision of equipment such as cranes on the jetty is necessary for the success of the deepwater berth?
Cork deepwater berth received grants already and indeed they will total almost £26 million by the end of this year. These grants have been paid out mostly in the last three years. We have made a huge investment in Cork Harbour but it is not policy to provide grants for things like cranes. It is not just a matter of looking at Cork Harbour in isolation, every other port would then have a reasonable expectation of grants for such equipment. We did not do this in the past and will not do so now, and it is now up to Cork Harbour to make the berth work.
Let me remind the Minister that the work was shelved on a number of occasions and indeed ceased at times. Indeed, on one of these occasions a Cork Minister was in office. A sum of £26 million of taxpayers' money has been expended, but the Minister is now saying that there is no money for equipment. The position is very unsatisfactory.
It is very unsatisfactory that projects of this sort should be promoted and developed and that the developers should then be unable to find the resources to buy cranes. If that is their argument they are arguing against the project in the first place. We have been more than generous in this case. I hope the berth will be an addition to the infrastructure in Cork, but it is now up to the Cork Harbour Commissioners to make it work. I will ensure that the system is not milked.