Vol. 458 No. 7
34 Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for the Marine the Department which has responsibility for funding major work on harbours on offshore islands in view of the reply to the matter raised on the adjournment of 12 October 1995, in relation to works on the harbour in Inisbofin. [16022/95]
As I have previously advised the Deputy I have no general function in relation to the development or maintenance of harbour facilities on offshore islands. Where there is a fisheries dimension, any such proposals could be considered for grant aid under the Fisheries Operational Programme. This funding however is already over subscribed with significant fishery harbour projects in the queue. Priority will continue to be given to development projects resulting in significant economic or strategic benefits for the fishing sector.
I outlined the position recently to the Deputy in relation to works in Inisbofin. I understand that the primary need at this harbour is maintenance dredging and as such is a matter for Galway County Council which is the harbour authority. The Department will continue to give any engineering assistance it can to the county council.
