Liz McManus
Ceist:58 Ms McManus asked the Minister for the Marine if his evaluation of the plan for the development of Arklow Harbour, County Wicklow, has been completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Arklow (Wicklow) Harbour Development.
As the Deputy will be aware, Arklow Harbour Commissioners have submitted a £9.4 million development plan to the Department for consideration for EC Structural Funds. The plan is being evaluated along with the many other projects submitted by harbour authorities and private concerns.
The objective of this evaluation is to compile an integrated and strategic investment plan for our commercial harbours which will enable our ports to have the required infrastructure and handling equipment to meet trade demands into the next century. It will not be possible to make final decisions on any of the port projects submitted until such time as the allocation for ports under the National Plan for the utilisation of funds has been determined and the approval of the European Commission for the port development strategy received.