Vol. 500 No. 3
30 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the plans, if any, his Department has to provide finance to extend the pier at Clogherhead, County Louth; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the fishing fleet have to dock at Drogheda Port; his views on whether there could be substantial job creation in the area if this harbour was properly developed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1464/99]
Port Oriel Pier, Clogherhead is owned by Louth County Council and responsibility for its repair and maintenance rests with the local authority. Accordingly, it is a matter for the local authority in the first instance to determine what works may be required at Clogherhead.
In 1996 and 1997 my Department provided grant aid of £298,996 to Louth County Council towards development works at Clogherhead. I have now received from Louth County Council a report on further infrastructural needs at the pier, which was drawn up for the county council by consulting engineers. My Department is evaluating this report.
The development needs at Clogherhead will be considered in the context of the overall development needs of fishery harbours and funding available for such works.
