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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 21 Nov 2001

Vol. 544 No. 4

Written Answers. - Fishmeal Factory Purchase.

Trevor Sargent

Ceist:

129 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the reason he bought a fishmeal factory shed and yard set in a special protection area for birds at Mornington on the Boyne estuary for £350,000; and his plans for the use of this factory. [29200/01]

The purchase of the premises and adjoining jetty formerly owned by Mornington Fish Products Limited, in voluntary liquidation, was undertaken to ensure the continuing safe and reliable importation of explosives and the ingredients thereof in commercial volumes. The facility also enables the safe importation of munitions for the Defence Forces. The jetty has been used for many years for the importation of explosives and is licensed for this purpose by the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform. Its particular suitability for this activity is principally attributable to its remoteness from human habitation.

In 1998, a proposal emerged to sell the facility for a holiday home development. Obviously any housing near the jetty would have rendered it unusable for the importation of explosives. While considerable efforts were made to identify an alternative location, it became apparent that the Mornington facility was the only location currently available which could safely cater for the importation of explosives or munitions in commercial volumes. Accordingly, in order to ensure a regular and safe supply of materials to the manufacturers of explosives, the mining industry and other authorised users of explosives, negotiations were entered into to purchase the jetty and adjoining lands from the liquidator of the company. The purchase is scheduled to be completed at the end of the month. The purchase price agreed is £170,000 and not £350,000, as the Deputy suggests. The Department will consider various potential uses for the adjoining lands which are compatible with the continued importation of explosives and its location within a designated marine SAC.

Question No. 130 answered with Question No. 108.

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