Austin Deasy
Ceist:30 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for the Marine the plans, if any, he has for a major extension of Dunmore East Harbour in County Waterford in view of the serious congestion involving trawlers and pleasure craft.
Vol. 424 No. 8
30 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for the Marine the plans, if any, he has for a major extension of Dunmore East Harbour in County Waterford in view of the serious congestion involving trawlers and pleasure craft.
I am conscious from recent visits to Dunmore East that there can be congestion of vessels berthing at Dunmore East harbour. This is a problem which is common to virtually all the large fishery harbours in the State.
In an effort to relieve congestion at the harbour I recently arranged for the installation of five 17 foot pontoons at the west wharf of the harbour. This development has been well received by the small boat fleet in the harbour. I have no doubt that, with co-operation between the individual users at the port the maximum use of available berthage is possible. However the overall berthage difficulties still remain to be addressed.
One proposal at present being considered by my Department is the possibility of building up the existing breakwater and decking it to increase available berthage. Substantial expenditure is necessary to achieve this and the proposal is being examined to determine if the additional berthage to be achieved from this exercise will justify the level of expenditure required.