Vol. 400 No. 2
8 Mrs. Taylor-Quinn asked the Minister for the Marine if he will consider major improvements on a number of Irish ports with a view to increasing their fish landing capacity; and if he will promote these ports with his EC counterparts with a view to encouraging more foreign vessels landing in Ireland.
(Limerick West): Considerable progress has been made in recent years in the development of the Irish fishery harbour infrastructure. However, significant investment is still required to ensure that harbours and piers will be capable of supporting a modern sea going fishing fleet and all related downstream activities located in their vicinity.
In this regard I am committed to the concept of establishing the five fishery harbour centres as locations where the whole chain of undertakings from the catching through to the landing, auctioning, processing and marketing of the catch as well as the servicing of the fleet can be catered for. In addition, my aim is also to develop other important fishery harbours at strategic locations thus providing a solid infrastructural base, and all necessary back-up, repair and service facilities, for the efficient exploitation of fish stocks. My overall policy is to develop a fishery harbour infrastructure comprising the five Fishery Harbour Centres; a number of strategically placed other major harbours at which significant catches may be landed; and a number of smaller harbours and piers catering for needs which cannot be satisfied otherwise, either because they would add to the congestion problems at the larger harbours or because the landing facilities in question are located adjacent to fishing grounds or mariculture sites.
The total investment proposed for the development of fishery harbours in the period 1990-93 is of the order of £20 million. This includes a programme of infrastructural improvements at selected harbours costing £15 million, towards which an ERDF contribution of £7.5 million through the Operational Programme for Rural Development has been sought.
In addition, an application for grant aid, 50 per cent of total cost, under EC Regulation 4028/86 has been approved. Under this regulation the Commission may grant Community financial aid for the provision of facilities at fishing ports with a view to improving the conditions in which products are obtained and landed. Aid sought consists of £1.71 million for BIM's ice plant programme and £1.995 million for other fishery port facilities.
My Department has an open-port policy in relation to foreign fishing vessels. However, landings by such vessels in Ireland are dictated generally by market forces.
I am pleased to note that the Minister recognises the difficulties which exist in regard to the condition of harbours throughout the country. While I appreciate that the five harbours directly under the jurisdiction of the Department of the Marine are given priority treatment by them does the Minister not agree that there is a need at this stage for his Department to take a much more direct interest in what is happening to other harbours? Is the Minister in a position to tell the House the number of additional harbours he intends to develop, where these are located and the criteria under which they will get special recognition?
(Limerick West): As I indicated in my reply, this matter is being examined at present. A number of other locations are also being examined by my officials and as soon as I have fully examined the reports which have been submitted to me I will be in a position to announce the additional harbours which will be grant aided.
The Minister said £20 million will be allocated for the development and repair of harbours between 1990-93. Can the Minister indicate at this stage the harbours which will be grant aided?
(Limerick West): I am not in a position to give this information to the Deputy but as soon as a decision has been made I will gladly give the Deputy details of it.
How soon will that be?
(Limerick West): I would say within one month.
