John Deasy (Waterford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The witnesses are all very welcome and I wish to focus on a particular harbour, Dunmore East. I will go back 14 years and refer to the studies and reports that were done in conjunction with Mr. Moran's Department and other Departments over that time span. In many cases, Mr. Moran and his officials will have been aware of reports, recommendations and findings but it is useful to go back and list recommendations and findings to show the lack of activity.

In 2000, KPMG drew up a consulting report - a technical and socio-economic review of infrastructural requirements in Dunmore East and the significant need for development of the harbour. This was followed in 2003 by a Kirk McClure Morton report, which was commissioned by the Department then dealing with this - it dealt with preliminary designs and an environmental impact assessment was planned. It was found that the existing harbour was too small and did not permit proper development so the report was, effectively, a reiteration of the previous one. In 2004, a public consultation process commenced and planning permission for the fishery harbour centre was granted in 2005. In 2006, some €300,000 was provided for design and another €300,000 was provided for site investigation. The first phase was to begin in 2008 but then the economy collapsed, as we all know.

In 2007, Poseidon Aquatic Resource Management Limited was commissioned to conduct a cost-benefit analysis and found a number of weaknesses. The harbour was deemed to be very old and in need of a significant upgrade. No significant dredging had taken place for many years at that stage and it is now 22 years since such dredging. Most of the large vessels had to steam to Cork or Howth to dock and there was no safe access to the shore for yachts. These findings are from 2007.

The five-year business plan for Dunmore East was proposed to increase fish landings to 9,100 tonnes and grow harbour dues and revenue to €267,500 by 2013. As the witnesses know, on 20 March 2014 the Department sanctioned maintenance dredging in Dunmore East. Consulting engineers finalised tender documents and a completed tender package was advertised on 24 May. The tender submission stage ended on 7 July 2014 but we have now learned there is a delay. The €4 million involved in this relates only to the dredging of the inner basin - the idea of overall harbour redevelopment is unmentioned. In 2013, some €827,000 was made available and €450,000 of that was to widen and extend the slipway at the west wharf. Some €220,000 was for the extension of the fishery harbour building.

The Chairman spoke of legacy issues and if one goes back over the past 14 years on the Dunmore East issue, there is a legacy of bitter disappointment when it comes to what the Government promised and what it actually delivered, or not delivered. Dredging was announced earlier this year but what is the situation on the tender process? When will dredging commence?