The information required by the Deputy is set out below:
Ports of registry in Ireland
Arklow
Cork
Drogheda
Dublin
Dundalk
Galway
Limerick
Skibbereen
Sligo
Tralee
Waterford
Westport
Wexford
One application to extend the list has been received by my Department to date. This sought the designation of Castletownbere as a port of registry. However, I did not deem it necessary to make such designation as Skibbereen is already designated as the port of registry for the West Cork area. In the absence of evidence of any undue pressures on that office, I could see absolutely no basis for agreeing to the request.
Generally, I would not favour the extension of designation to any of the major fishing ports as the present spread of ports of registry is more than adequate to cater for existing demands.