Vol. 458 No. 7
27 Mr. M. Ahern asked the Minister for the Marine the plans, if any, he has for the provision of funding to small harbours and ports currently under the control of local authorities; and his views on whether many jobs could be created directly from the fishing operations in such harbours and ports without the need for major investment. [17475/95]
I agree that carefully targeted modest investment in small harbours and landing places around the coast can produce demonstrable benefits for the local fishing and aquaculture industries. Improved facilities can also enhance the opportunities for developing marine leisure at these locations. In so far as funding is available and where local authorities have such plans I will continue to do my best to facilitate and support prioritised proposals to underpin economic activity at local level.
Funding under the Fisheries Operational Programme is limited however and is currently oversubscribed in terms of existing and proposed investment projects at the five fishery harbour centres and other strategically important fishery harbours around the coast. I am pursuing the case for additional EU Structural Funding for fishery harbour development which is so urgently needed to address infrastructural needs to key fishery harbours around the coast. I have no doubt that I have the full support of all concerned Deputies in this endeavour.
