Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 9 Mar 1993

Vol. 427 No. 6

Written Answers. - County Waterford Harbour.

Proinsias De Rossa

Ceist:

198 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Minister for the Marine if he has any plans to visit Helvick harbour in County Waterford to witness the difficult conditions under which local fishermen have to work due to the lack of development of the harbour; and if he will provide finance for the improvement sought by the fishermen in an application submitted six years ago.

Minister for the Marine (Mr. Andrews)

Since my appointment as Minister for the Marine I have visited a number of harbours, both fishing and commercial, around the coast. While I have no immediate plan to visit Helvick Harbour, I hope in due course to see the facility at first hand.

Helvick Harbour is the responsibility of Waterford County Council. The Department of the Marine is providing grant-aid to the County Council in respect of remedial works undertaken at the harbour during 1992. There are no plans to undertake any development works at Helvick Harbour during 1993. However, the Department of the Marine is drawing up a Fishery Harbour Development Programme for the period 1994 to 1997 and the development of Helvick Harbour will be considered in the context of this programme. Pending finalisation of the programme and clarification of its funding, I am not in a position to say what development works, if any, can be undertaken at Helvick Harbour.