asked the Minister for Tourism, Fisheries and Forestry if he will make a statement on the future development of the Dunmore East Harbour, County Waterford; and if he will make particular reference to: 1. Planned capital expenditure on the harbour: 2. Planned current expenditure on the maintenance and improvement of the harbour; 3. Maintenance dredging of the harbour; and 4. Dredging to deepen the harbour which has silted up considerably in recent times and prevents large trawlers from using the harbour; and if he will state the comprehensive plans for the harbour development in 1987 and future years.
Written Answers. - Development of Dunmore East Harbour.
138.
As a State harbour, management and maintenance of Dunmore East is the responsibility of the Office of Public Works and funds for that purpose are provided each year in the Vote for that office.
As a harbour which has been scheduled under the Fishery Harbour Centres Act for development as a fishery harbour centre, capital development work is the responsibility of my Department. In the late sixties and early seventies a major development scheme was carried out at the harbour under the aegis of my Department at a cost of close on £1 million.
In 1985, the Office of Public Works carried out a maintenance dredging scheme there to restore the water depth levels. Proposals for further development works at the harbour are at present under consideration in my Department which is awaiting an engineering report thereon from the Office of Public Works. Until this report is received and appraised I cannot say what further capital expenditure may be justified for Dunmore East.