Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 6 October 2022
403. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide a clear timeframe on when the area around his Department owned Syncro lift in Dunmore East County Waterford will be dredged to remove silt that will then allow all sizes of fishing and other vessels to be lifted from the waters for maintenance and repair; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49244/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraSyncrolift facilities are available at four of the six Fishery Harbour Centres, namely Dunmore East, Howth, Castletownbere and Killybegs. The syncrolifts have different capabilities with larger vessels being accommodated at Killybegs and Howth Fishery Harbour Centres. The syncrolift in Dunmore East is capable of lifts up to 230 tonnes and a transfer system to a repair yard is available. The Department's syncrolifts are routinely inspected and maintained and the Dunmore East syncrolift is currently undergoing maintenance which will be completed shortly. This routine maintenance will not increase the lift capability and any larger vessels will still need to look elsewhere for appropriate services.
The syncrolift in Dunmore East has seen a reduction in use in recent years with only around four lifts per annum. There may be a number of factors affecting this, including competition from private facilities, increases in vessels sizes and proximity of services, which the Department intends to review.
