Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 30 Oct 1996

Vol. 470 No. 7

Written Answers. - County Donegal Piers.

Patrick D. Harte

Ceist:

29 Mr. Harte asked the Minister for the Marine if he has taken a decision on whether his Department is to carry out substantial improvement works on Moville Pier or Carrickaroary Pier, Moville, County Donegal, which the different Departments of State have refused to grant-aid over the past 20 years in view of the fact that it is claimed by them that the investment is economically unviable and this information was made public at a recent meeting of Donegal County Council, resulting in widespread concern in the Moville area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19900/96]

Minister for the Marine (Mr. Barrett)

Up to quite recently the piers at Moville and Carrickaroary were the property of Londonderry Port and Harbour Commissioners. A few years ago Donegal County Council purchased the piers from the commissioners for a nominal sum. Both piers, Carrickaroary in particular, are in a very poor state of repair. The repair of these piers is a matter for Donegal County Council. The Department of the Marine does not grant aid repair works. The Department does however, provide grantaid, subject to available funds, for the development of fishery harbour facilities. Only projects which demonstrate a significant potential return from a fisheries perspective are grant-aided. It would be difficult, to make a case for fisheries related investment at Carrickaroary pier. Future possible investment strategies in the area might more realistically focus on the infrastructural needs of the mussel fishery in Lough Foyle and might involve investment at Moville. A three year fishery harbour development programme 1997-99 is being prepared and the infrastructural needs of the fishing and aquaculture industry in the Moville area will be assessed in that context.