The House will now hear two-minute statements on matters appropriate to the Minister for the Marine. I propose to call on the Deputies I have selected in the following order: First, Deputy Nealon and, second, Deputy Deenihan. Each Deputy is entitled to two minutes in respect of each matter and each of the statements will be followed immediately by a two-minute reply by the Minister for the Marine. The House will now hear a statement from Deputy Nealon.
Adjournment Debate. - Marine Matters.
Permission has been sought from the Minister for the Marine, who controls our foreshores, for the erection of ESB pylons to carry power cables from the mainland at Strandhill to Coney Island. This is Coney Island in Sligo Bay — I hasten to add — not the other one named after it.
Granting of this permission, and the consequent erection of the pylons, would amount to an act of State vandalism. Sadly, we have already many examples in the north-west of power pylons and poles ravaging the beauty of the countryside, most notably in Barnsmore Gap in Donegal and, not far behind, in the Windy Gap on the Ox Mountains. We do not want another — this time without any excuse that it is necessary — in Sligo Bay.
Whether seen from land, sea or air we have here one of the great panoramic views of the west. For instance, on planes coming into Sligo airport at Strandhill, the normal flight path will take you over Lough Gill and Glencar Lake with Benbulben to your right and to the left Knocknarea with Queen Maeve's cairn. In the distance are the Ox mountains and the mountains of Donegal; below Coney Island are Inishmurray in Sligo Bay, Strandhill and Rosses Point and on a clear day Lissadell can also be seen.
Not to mention the social welfare office.
What is now planned is the final man-made stroke on this great canvas — ESB pylons. The ESB personnel in Sligo are excellent. I believe they really do not want these pylons. Finally, I want to remind the Minister that failing to get planning permission for Coney Island would create no precedent. The first man to receive a rebuff was, in fact, Saint Patrick, who wanted to build a church there. Legend has it that an old pagan woman, called Stoner, who disapproved, took unilateral action. Instead of serving a pair of rabbits she served a pair of cooked cats for the Saint's dinner. That was the end of the church on Coney Island. But Saint Patrick did build a church on the mainland nearby at Killaspugbrone where the pylon line would actually start. He also promised the people of Coney Island that the tides would always allow them to get to Mass on the mainland with dry feet and so they do. That clearly indicates there is another feasible way of getting electricity to the island without spoiling the scenery.
I would have to agree with Deputy Nealon about the beauty of the area. I had the pleasure of viewing it from the new national pensions office we built on a hill overlooking the area.
The ESB have applied to my Department, under the Foreshore Act, for permission to erect a power line over the foreshore from the mainland to Coney Island. The distance involved is approximately 300 metres. The application does not entail the placing of pylons or poles on the foreshore. I am advised that any such structures would be erected above the high water mark. I can advise the Deputy that the application to my Department was advertised in the local press on 17 April last. A number of comments have been received from interested parties.
My Department are now assessing the comments received. In addition to this process of assessment, the application, together with the comments received, has been referred to Sligo County Council for its observations. A response from the county council is awaited. When I have received the views of the county council, together with my Department's assessment, I will consider the matter further. I can assure the Deputy that all concerns, including those expressed by himself, will be taken into account in reaching a decision on the application.
During the course of his address at the IMI conference in Killarney, the Taoiseach stated that it was the Government's intention to establish a Europort on the Shannon Estuary with similar capacity to Rotterdam. Whether it was off-the-cuff remark following Dr. Tony Ryan's suggestion of an air bridge from Shannon Airport to Europe or genuine Government policy remains to be seen.
I sincerely hope it was not a repeat of the several promises made by many of the Minister's colleagues in the past. These include turning a sod for a proposed aluminium smelter in 1981 prior to the June election of that year, posing for a photograph in The Kerryman and announcing a new marina, the announcement of the setting up of a port in 1984, the announcement of a Toyota car factory in 1989 with a promise of more than 3,000 jobs and a more recent announcement of the setting up of a port facility by private investors when the proposal was very much in the initial stages of investigation — it has since been abandoned.
They are just some of the promises which have been made to the local people who are now totally disillusioned and cynical because of this gross irresponsibility. It is totally unfair to make these promises and raise people's hopes when there is no foundation for them.
In a recent reply in the Dáil the Minister indicated that a proposal was being examined by his Department, in consultation with the Taoiseach's Department and other Departments and State agencies. I would like to point out to the Minister that we have had several studies on the future potential of the Shannon Estuary, including the report of An Foras Forbartha in 1984 and a special study carried out by the Department of Industry and Commerce in 1990 which was never published. What we need in the Shannon Estuary is a definite commitment to providing the necessary funding to develop the infrastructure to allow development to take place. The last thing we want is another empty promise. The local people deserve better.
My Department are currently examining the feasibility of establishing a strategic trading bridgehead in the Shannon Estuary to boost maritime traffic and create jobs. Such a facility would be geared to service trade with the European Community, the American continent and major third country trading blocs.
A key element of the examination is the viability of a transhipment facility or terminal to facilitate transfer of cargo from one ship to another in the Shannon Estuary as an intermediate port en route to final destinations.
The examination involves consultation with the Taoiseach's Department, other Government Departments and the relevant State agencies. My Department will also have regard to the views of Limerick Harbour Commissioners and Foynes Harbour Trustees in formulating development policies. Initially, the examination will involve a comprehensive assessment of existing facilities in the estuary and potential interests and markets for transhipped goods by mode and destination.
The Shannon Estuary is already making a valuable contribution to the national and regional economy. Since 1965 some £2,000 million had been invested in port related industry in the estuary and the range of port facilities includes marine terminals located at Moneypoint, Tarbert Island, Foynes Island, Aughinish, Dernish Island together with Limerick City Docks, Foynes Harbour and Kilrush Harbour. Port facilities in the Estuary can handle vessels up to 200,000 deadweight tonnes. Total maritime traffic in 1991 through the port facilities was 7.5 million tonnes consisting of exports of alumina, meat, timber and horticultural products and imports of coal, bauxite, petroleum products, fertilisers and animal feeds.
The scope for future development building on the current strengths of the estuary and its range of facilities is considerable. At present the maximum size of vessels which can enter Moneypoint is 150,000 to 170,000 deadweight tonnes. The marine facility at Moneypoint is designed for vessels of 250,000 deadweight tonnes. This could be fully utilised by the development of a deepwater channel to provide access for vessels of this size. This could cut the cost of electricity.
One could go further and bring in 400,000 tonne ships which would have an even greater impact on the cost of electricty. I expect to have the initial review completed shortly.
The Dáil adjourned at 9.5 p.m. until 10.30 a.m. on Thursday, 4 June 1992.