Dick Spring
Ceist:31 Mr. Spring asked the Minister for the Marine if funds will be provided for the dredging of Fenit Harbour, County Kerry, without which the harbour will become inaccessible to fishing boats and commercial shipping.
Written Answers. - Dredging of Kerry Harbour.
Jimmy Deenihan
Ceist:47 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for the Marine if he will provide the necessary finance in order that dredging will take place at Fenit, County Kerry as the skippers using the port are refusing to send their boats to Fenit because of the risk of damage.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 31 and 47 together.
Paragraph 3.1.35 of the National Development Programme for Ireland 1989-1991 indicated that expenditure on commercial harbours would be concentrated particularly on Dublin, Rosslare, Waterford and Cork ports. Provision was also made for essential preservation and reconstruction works at some ports. No funding is being provided for maintenance dredging in commercial harbours.
Tralee and Fenit Harbour Commissioners have been invited to forward proposals for consideration in the context of my Department's five year fishery harbour development programme. To date, no proposals have been received from the Harbour Commissioners. When these proposals and others from other coastal authorities have been received, and examined, a decision will be taken in relation to those projects which are considered justified in the fishery interest.