Vol. 407 No. 9
82 Mr. McCartan asked the Minister for the Marine if he will outline his plans for the future development of Howth as a fishery harbour; and if he will meet with harbour and fishing users and in particular, the Howth Fishermen's Association, to discuss the future development of the fishing facilities at Howth.
In recent years over £11 million has been injected into the development of Howth harbour and it can now be considered to have reached an advanced stage of development.
Future development plans, which include the provision of an auction hall, have been included in my Department's Fishery Harbour Development Programme 1989-1993, which I announced in October, 1990.
Officials of my Department have regularly met harbour users, particularly the Howth Fishermen's Association and discussed future development plans with them. The last such meeting was held last February, and future meetings can be arranged as appropriate. I myself will certainly be prepared to consider holding a meeting if there are important issues arising, along the lines mentioned, which cannot be reasonably resolved at official level.
83 Mr. McCartan asked the Minister for the Marine if he has given his approval for the erection of a racing office for Howth Yacht Club on the west pier in Howth; if his attention has been drawn to any possible concerns for fishing related traffic negotiating the approach to the harbour, and for the increased traffic of dinghy and other sail traffic; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Howth Yacht Club has been allocated a small site at the end of the west pier for the erection of a permanent race starters' hut. The site allocated is currently derelict and detracting from the aesthetic value of the pier.
The new hut will not occasion increased dinghy traffic as it will replace a temporary starting hut that has been in use by the club since they vacated their old clubhouse some years ago. Both huts are in the same general location.
Dinghy and other sailboat racing has started from this area for a considerable number of years. These improvements in the facilities for starting of races will create no new challenges for fish related traffic using the harbour.
84 Mr. McCartan asked the Minister for the Marine if he has received a request from Howth Yacht Club or others to extend the use of the boatyard at the west pier as a sailboat storage area; if he has decided on this application; if he will outline the conditions and terms which are to be attached to such use; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I confirm I have received such a request, and it is under consideration.
85 Mr. McCartan asked the Minister for the Marine if a harbour master has been nominated for appointment to Howth Harbour, Dublin 13; if so, the name of the person appointed and the date on which he/she will take up duty; and if the position has not yet been filled, when it is proposed to do so; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The position of Harbour Master at Howth Fishery Harbour centre was advertised by the Civil Service Commission on 3 January 1991 and interviews were held during March. I have notified the commissioners that I am prepared to appoint a named candidate who was selected by the interview board and that candidate is now undergoing health and character examinations carried out by the commission. Subject to satisfactory completion of those examinations I will make an immediate offer of appointment to the selected candidate.
The Deputy will appreciate that I cannot disclose the name of the successful candidate until the full selection process has been completed.
86 Mr. McCartan asked the Minister for the Marine if he has received sanction and/or a financial allocation from the EC for the project; whether he has commissioned or received a report on the feasibility of the project; if he will outline the conclusions of the report prepared by a person (details supplied); if he will publish this report; if he has received representations from the Dublin Fish Market Group; if he will confirm that they support the Howth project; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The proposed auction hall at Howth is currently at design stage. An application for grant aid under the EC facilities programme (Regulation 4028/86) has been made. No decision has been forthcoming to date.
The usual departmental appraisals of this project are under way. I have not seen a report on this matter prepared by the person named by the Deputy.
I have received representations from many parties on this proposal including representatives from the Dublin Fish Market Group. These representations reflect the variety of interest and perspectives of the parties involved.
