Pat Gallagher (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)

Effective administration at the harbour centres has been constrained for some time by the number of harbour master vacancies. The Deputy is aware of the situation in Killybegs. It is a human resource issue. Since Monday last the assistant harbour master has been acting as harbour master there. I was recently informed that the Public Appointments Service has established a panel of suitable candidates and offered positions to the first three people on it. Following the appointment of successful candidates, the administration of all the fishery harbour centres, including Killybegs, will be significantly enhanced.

As regards the committee's visit to Killybegs and the necessity for consultation, I appreciate the importance of all those who use the harbour. The Department merely manages the harbour. There are many stakeholders and harbour users, particularly producers and processors. The producers are paying harbour charges which have been in place since September 2003. There has been ongoing consultation with Mr. Art Kavanagh and the chamber of commerce, Mr. Seán O'Donoghue and others.

As regards the question of weighing water, I am dealing with that on the basis of recommendations from the industry and it is well advanced. I hope that by the May or June Council Meeting there will be a satisfactory outcome to that. I am aware of the ESB problem, but unfortunately some people in Donegal took it on themselves to appeal to An Bord Pleanála and put green grass and fresh air ahead of other matters. I met the ESB recently, however, and it is submitting a new plan.

See this speech in context