Frank Fahey (Galway West, Fianna Fail)

Balbriggan and Skerries harbours were transferred from the ownership of the Dublin Port Company to the control of Fingal County Council, by ministerial order dated 29 June 2004, as provided for in the Harbours Act 1996.

Government policy on ports, including regional harbours, is set out in the ports policy statement published in January 2005. The policy statement notes that many regional harbours have neither the resources nor the capability to comply with aspects of the code of practice for the governance of State bodies, whereas their transfer to local authority control would bring improved corporate governance and allow the harbours to realise their amenity potential.

The Department of Transport is working with the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government to advance the implementation of the ports policy statement with regard to the transfer of regional harbours to local authority control. The Department has invested in essential public safety works at a number of regional harbours in 2004 and 2005 and plans to continue with a similar programme of works in 2006. The Department proposes to make funds available to allow additional works to be undertaken at the regional harbours, where appropriate and justifiable, to protect the public and the fabric of the harbours. The Department is assessing what essential works might be undertaken in 2006 within the limited budget available.

A Royal Haskoning proposal was received from Fingal County Council outlining the options for possible works at Balbriggan and Skerries harbours. In addition to existing disrepair at the harbours, storms in January 2005 caused substantial damage to the storm wall in Balbriggan which has historically been susceptible to partial collapses. Subject to verification by the engineering division of the Department responsible at the time, the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, it was recommended that a grant payment could be made to Fingal County Council in respect of any invoiced works carried out in 2005 at Balbriggan and Skerries harbours.

Following receipt of a submission regarding works required at Balbriggan and Skerries harbours by Fingal County Council in 2005, the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources made a once-off payment of €231,817——

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