Vol. 560 No. 5
85 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the position in relation to the extension at Dinish Island, Castletownbere, the construction of the auction hall at Danish Island, and the associated dredging works; and when it is expected that these works will commence. [3088/03]
Castletownbere fishery harbour centre is one of the five fishery harbour centres owned and managed directly by my Department. In 1998 my Department commissioned a study of the infrastructural need of Castletownbere fishery harbour centre. This study identified the need for an extension to Dinish Wharf and the provision of a new auction hall. The development proposed for Castletownbere Fishery Harbour Centre comprises three basic elements, that is, dredging to accommodate the new pier facility, a 120 metre pier extension to the existing Dinish Wharf and the construction of an auction hall building on the wharf. In 2002 it came to light that some of the material to be dredged is contaminated. Consultant engineers have been asked to devise a suitable plan to deal with the material in question and until that plan is available it will not be possible to indicate a start date for the proposed development. I should also point out that, in any event, the commencement date for the proposed development will depend on the Exchequer funding available for fishery harbour development works in 2004 and later and overall national priorities. In the meantime, ongoing maintenance works are being undertaken at Castletownbere fishery harbour centre.
