Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)

Deputy Mac Lochlainn is right to identify that the Brexit adjustment reserve fund provided the Department with significant funds to invest in key infrastructure. I have had the opportunity to visit a number of the projects. I have to say that, in my estimation, it is money well spent. Most of the projects came in on budget and on time, and they provide for the future demands and needs of the facilities. I was in Killybegs recently and there was some investment there.

Of course, the harbourmaster was at pains to say he could do considerably more and it would be on schedule if funds were available. At this stage, though, I cannot say how we will do overall in that regard. I think we will be under a little pressure on the capital side for the next couple of years. A number of projects have the benefit of planning permission and are ready to go or close enough to being ready to go. I will be trying to prioritise those if I can. I am conscious that, if planning permission lapses, it can be a hell of a job to get it back on track. There is the project in Rossaveel that was delayed through court actions. Fortunately, we have had the forbearance of the contractor, who has been very understanding and has assisted us in addressing some of the issues.

I had an opportunity to visit Howth to view a project there. The significant sedimentation issue is making it very difficult to get the fishing boats in and out. It also affects the leisure craft that form an important part of the tourism offering there. Tourism falls outside my remit but if the fishing boats cannot get out, that is a big priority. There is a symbiotic relationship between the two and if we can get that resolved, we will get to that. There is also an issue for RNLI vessels. From a search and rescue perspective, it is important that we get that done.