Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 20 Oct 1999

Vol. 509 No. 5

Written Answers. - Harbours and Piers.

Austin Deasy

Ceist:

67 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the progress, if any, being made towards the provision of a major extension to Dunmore East harbour which will adequately cater for the fishing fleet and also incorporate a marina. [20708/99]

Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources (Dr. Woods)

I am conscious of the strategic importance of Dunmore East Fishery Harbour Centre and the need to ensure that berthage and ancillary facilities there are fully commensurate with the needs of the fishing industry. My Department is therefore arranging, as a matter of priority, for the carrying out of a consultancy study on infrastructural requirements at the harbour. This will be a comprehensive cost benefit analysis of the harbour's development needs and will recommend on appropriate strategies for addressing those requirements.

The consultancy study will be undertaken in consultation with local interests and will draw on the technical wave study already carried out for my Department, as well as the work on development options undertaken by the local harbour users' committee and proposals for a marina development put forward by local sailing interests. It will critically inform decisions on an investment strategy for the most cost-effective and appropriate development of facilities at Dunmore East in the context of the National Development Plan.