Mr. Séamus Bonner:

Yes, works on a number of piers are pending since the last downturn. Rannagh Pier on Arranmore is one.

Work also needs to be done on Inis Meáin. The Sherkin breakwater is due to be improved to provide access to a better ferry service for local users, for tourism and for fishing. East End Pier on Inishbofin has been badly damaged in a storm. It has been mentioned that storms are getting worse - they are of increased severity, probably due to climate change - and are becoming more frequent as well.

We need to consider that some administrative solutions are needed. For example, the Sherkin breakwater is in Roaringwater Bay SAC, which means that an extra layer of requirements has to be done to get projects approved and all the permissions needed. We need to put a mechanism in place to ensure this does not cause a blockage for essential services like ferries and emergency services and for other users. To give another example, Machaire Rabhartaigh in County Donegal is not a designated landing port for fish, which is causing difficulties for local users. That could be solved easily by somebody in the Department who could designate it as a designated port.