Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 25 June 2015
99. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will initiate and develop a proper walkway along the harbour foreshore out to the Dingle lighthouse (details supplied) at Lough, County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25465/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn Daingean Fishery Harbour Centre is one of the six designated Fishery Harbour Centres which are owned and managed by my Department under Statute. Responsibility for the development, maintenance and repairs of the Fishery Harbour, including An Daingean Lighthouse, comes under my Department's remit.
The An Daingean Lighthouse was built in 1885 as a navigational aid to boats approaching the harbour and is a working Lighthouse. The lands adjoining the Lighthouse are privately owned, where access by my Department officials, to carry out necessary inspections and works, is by means of a legally held right of way.
My Department's exclusive interest in the Lighthouse is to ensure that it is fit for purpose. In this regard, my Department allocates monies for the upkeep of Lighthouse buildings and navigational aids. This year, under the Fishery Harbour Development Programme, I allocated €130,000 for the replacement of navigation buoys that mark the main navigation channel at An Daingean. My Department does not fund lighthouse related projects outside of the Department's maintenance and repair remit.
