Vol. 524 No. 2
99 Mr. Bell asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the plans he has to extend the fishing berthage in Clogherhead, County Louth; his views on whether the facilities can provide for the existing fleet which has been recently extended; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the major part of the fleet has to dock in Howth, County Dublin, and Drogheda, County Louth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21073/00]
The pier in Clogherhead is owned by Louth County Council with which responsibility lies for its maintenance and development. It is, accordingly, a matter for the county council in the first instance to bring forward proposals for capital investment. Funding of £125,000 has been provided in the current year for the county coun cil to support essential safety and maintenance works.
In 1998 Louth County Council commissioned consulting engineers to make a technical assessment of the development needs of the harbour. Their report, which examined a range of options, recommended extending the pier, the construction of a breakwater and dredging works. The minimum cost of these capital works has been estimated to be in excess of £3 million. The annual value of landings in Clogherhead is of the order of £1.8 million.
I visited Clogherhead recently and accept that there is scope for enhancement of the harbour. Any major capital investment proposed would require, in the first instance, a comprehensive cost-benefit analysis having regard to all relevant economic and socio-economic factors, trends in volume and value of landings, fleet trends, and regional and local considerations. It is also the case that existing funding for major fishery harbour development is oversubscribed. Development options for Clogherhead will be kept under review in that context and my Department will consult further with Louth County Council on the way forward.
100 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources if the study into the development and enlargement of Dunmore East Harbour, County Waterford, has been completed; if not, when he expects the report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22077/00]
A comprehensive strategic review of current and future infrastructural needs in Dunmore East Fishery Harbour was commissioned by my Department in August. The review is being undertaken by KPMG Consulting in conjunction with a firm of consulting engineers. The review is scheduled for completion before the end of the year.
The consultant's brief is to assess the capacity of the existing infrastructure and onshore facilities in Dunmore East to service the existing and future needs of the fishing industry and the marine tourism and leisure sector. It will also take into account other potential commercial activity in the harbour. In the light of this assessment the consultants will evaluate future development needs and undertake a cost-benefit analysis of the options for delivery. They will recommend on an integrated and cost-efficient strategic plan for any identified enhancement of infrastructure and facilities.
The review is being conducted in consultation with harbour users and other local interests. It will take due account of the socio-economic role of the fishing sector in the south east region and the Dunmore East catchment area having regard to emerging structural and market trends in the sector. Full consideration will also be given to the current and potential future role of Dunmore East as a centre for marine tourism and leisure activity and other potential commercial usage. The review will inform decisions on future strategic directions for Dunmore East and associated investment strategies for the fishery harbour centre.
Will the findings of the assessment be made public at the end of the year? Will the findings of the cost-benefit analysis be published at the same time or are we talking about two different matters?
When received, the findings of the consultancy study will be published. A cost-benefit analysis will also have to be undertaken. This will inform decisions on the future development of Dunmore East. It will form part of the consultancy study. A further cost benefit analysis will need to be carried out when the study is produced.
Will the Minister confirm that a proper cost benefit analysis will be carried out?
Yes.
Some people in Dunmore East believe there is a great deal of foot dragging. Is the analysis likely to take a considerable length of time?
A cost-benefit analysis will be integral to the study which will point us in the direction and will analyse the kind of investment required and the projected development and income which will result from it. It may be necessary to carry out further, more detailed work as part of any expenditure proposal. There is no question of any foot dragging as regards Dunmore East which I intend to visit within the next two weeks. We are conscious of its strategic location but we have to be cognisant of the return on investment in every harbour. The same applies to Rossaveale, Killybegs or Castletownbere, so Dunmore East is no different.
How much will the study cost? Does the Minister agree it is important that a study such as this should look at Dunmore East in the context of the overall southern region? Does he further agree there is a need to develop marine tourism, particularly in Youghal, Ballycotton and other areas, in conjunction with Dunmore East?
Yes. The study will consider Dunmore East in the context of the south east region. Any analysis being carried out and all projects under construction are cognisant of the potential of marine tourism. The national plan includes a significant programme of development for marine leisure facilities with expenditure of £20 million to be spent on a number of strategic marina and other types of developments around the coast.
