Eamon Gilmore
Ceist:28 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for the Marine if he will ensure that EC Structural Funds are directed towards the upgrading of passenger facilities at Dún Laoghaire; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Dún Laoghaire (Dublin) Harbour Facilities.
I would refer the Deputy to my answer to his question of 20 February 1991 regarding the allocation of funds from the operational programme on peripherality.
As I indicated then, a decision on the allocation of programme funds to Dún Laoghaire would have to await consideration of the development plan for the harbour, a draft of which was recently published by the Interim Dún Laoghaire Harbour Board and placed on public display.
All interested parties have been invited to express their views on the content of the draft plan. These views will be taken into account before the board makes final recommendations to me on the nature of the developments to be undertaken at the harbour.
I would point out that the present operational programme which is running from 1989 to 1993, is already far advanced. Given that the most optimistic date for the start up of the Dún Laoghaire project is towards the end of the current operational programme, it is unlikely that it could be considered for significant funding from this present programme.
I have already indicated, however, my support for the retention of the ferry service to Dún Laoghaire Harbour and obviously consideration will be given to including the proposed developments of the harbour for funding from any future EC Structural Programme.