Vol. 457 No. 1
35 Miss Coughlan asked the Minister for the Marine if he will make emergency Exchequer funding available for the provision of a new pier in Killybegs, County Donegal, in view of the crisis situation in the harbour at the moment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14990/95]
199 Miss Coughlan asked the Minister for the Marine the progress, if any, which has been made regarding the provision of a new pier at Killybegs, County Donegal; when dredging of the harbour area will take place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13318/95]
I propose taking Questions Nos. 35 and 199 together.
I recently visited Killybegs and was very impressed with the level of development in the fishing industry in the north west. This is a highly competitive, efficient and modern fleet which deserves every support we can give it in terms of infrastructure and back-up. There is no doubt that investment is needed at the fishery harbour centre to underpin the viability of the industry. The lack of deep draught and berthage is causing difficulties and congestion. We need now to assess the structural deficiencies and to work on a comprehensive fully costed development plan.
Deputies will be aware of the fundamental funding problem which is seriously restricting the scope for much needed development at key fishery harbours around the coast. The funding currently available to me under the Operational Programme up to 1999 is not remotely sufficient to do all that needs to be done and will certainly not cater for the major investment needs of Killybegs. I inherited this limited level of money which is inadequate and, frankly, shortsighted given the economic potential inherent in the fishing sector. I intend to do everything in my power to change this scenario. I am working intensively to increase the overall funding available to me from Exchequer and Structural Fund sources which is so urgently needed to address the infrastructural needs at Killybegs and at other key fishery harbours around the coast. I have no doubt that I have the full support of all Deputies in this endeavour in this area.
I thank the Minister for visiting Killybegs. However, will he answer my question regarding the provision of emergency Exchequer funding for the provision of a new pier? Is he aware that the £25 million flagship of the Irish fleet, The Veronica, had to wait outside the harbour in Killybegs for a week because no berthing facilities were available and then had to travel to Dublin, resulting in the loss of thousands of pounds to Killybegs? The staff also suffered losses as they were unable to berth at home before returning to Scotland. If emergency Exchequer funding is not provided for Killybegs there will be total frustration among those who export our produce. Is the Minister aware that this frustration led to the resignation of the harbour master?
I think the Deputy knows that this is not the reason the harbour master resigned. There is no point in denying that additional space is needed in Killybegs for landing fish. If the necessary infrastructural facilities are not provided, fish will not be landed. This, in turn, will affect the processing industry. I fail to understand how the previous Government transferred funding earmarked for fishery harbours under the operational programme to other areas thereby allowing this appalling situation to occur. I will do everything possible to secure the additional funding required to provide the necessary infrastructural facilities, particularly in Killybegs which is one of our major fishery centres in which a large number of jobs are provided, but one has to be realistic. I now have to find the money because of the failure of the party to which the Deputy belongs to recognise the needs of these fishery centres.
The Minister should change his tone.
We can play politics all day and all night——
I am stating the facts.
Since when?
——but when the Minister's predecessor went to Killybegs — it was he who launched the Veronica— he echoed the same sentiments. It is a disgrace that our premier port has been neglected. Will the Minister be able to persuade the two men sitting to his right to provide emergency Exchequer funding? There is no point waiting for European funding as it will take far too long.
I am reviewing the operational programme to see what can be done to provide additional funding for fishery harbours. It will be necessary to extend the piers by a further 400-500 metres in the interests of safety. They were designed to cater for vessels of up to 1,000 tonnes, but were being used by vessels of up to 8,000 tonnes. The Deputy has made her case which I fully accept. I will do my utmost to secure additional funding.
I hope the next time the Minister comes to Donegal he will give us a big fat cheque for £2 million to £3 million.
