Written Answers. - Irish Fishing Port Facilities.
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:
35
Mr. Durkan
asked the
Minister for the Marine
whether he has satisfied himself that Irish fishing port facilities are capable of servicing the future requirements of the fishing fleet, in view of possible enlargement of the EU and the possibility of increased competition from the EFTA countries; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Government policy has been to establish a network of major Fishery Harbour Centres (FHC's) strategically located on the North West, West, South West, South East and East coasts. These are currently Killybegs, Rossaveel, Castletownbere, Dunmore East and Howth. In addition, it is intended to designate Dingle harbour as the sixth FHC. As the Deputy will be aware, substantial State investment has been made at this harbour over the last few years and it is now one of our top fishing ports. The necessary legislation is being drafted by the Department of the Marine.
The Department, in accordance with Government policy, is committed to the concept of these centres as locations where the whole chain of activities from catching through to the landing, auctioning, processing and marketing of the catch, as well as the servicing of the fleet can be catered for. The strategy is to cater for development in fish landings, improved handling and larger vessels.
In addition, current policy also aims to develop other important fishing harbours at strategic locations, thus providing a solid infrastructural base and all necessary back-up, repair and service facilities for the efficient exploitation of stocks.
While considerable progress has been made in recent years in the development of the Irish fishery harbour infrastructure, (including developments such as dredging and pier construction at Rossaveel FHC, County Galway, Greencastle County Donegal, and Dingle, County Kerry, undertaken under the first round of Structural Funds), significant investment, within available financial resources, is still required.
To this end the National Development Plan envisages an investment of some £12 million in the development of harbour infrastructures over the 1994 through 1999 period: This funding will continue to be directed at improving facilities at priority fishing harbours and also at upgrading and maintaining local harbour infrastructures at selected local harbours where fishing or aquaculture activities play an important socio-economic role.
I am satisfied that investment to date together with planned expenditure will provide the port facilities to service the Irish fishing fleet.
