Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 May 2018
370. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the supports available to deepen the harbour at Dunmore East to facilitate visits from cruise ships; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19933/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraDunmore East Fishery Harbour Centre is one of the six designated Fishery Harbour Centres which are owned, managed and maintained by my Department under Statute. It is first and foremost a busy working fishery harbour which also provides for other complementary ancilliary activities, seafood processing enterprises, cruise liner visits and other marine leisure enterprises.
The development of the defining infrastructure in Dunmore East for the purposes of supporting the fishing industry commenced in the 1960's and was completed in the early 1970's.
The infrastructure places limits on Harbour managements' ability to cater for large ocean going cruise liners. These vessels cannot berth in Dunmore East and consequently anchor in the channel and passengers are tendered into Dunmore East.
At all times safety is a primary concern, and my Department, specifically local Harbour Management has and will continue to work positively with the interested parties to ensure that this activity can continue to operate in a safe manner having consideration for other Harbour Activities.
As part of my Department's Fishery Harbour and Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme, a €6 million dredging project within the Harbour was completed in 2015. Responsibility for deepening the channel outside the confines of the Harbour boundary would be a matter for the Port of Waterford.
