John Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)

The dredging is complete and representatives of my Department and the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs are carrying out a detailed analysis of the need for a dedicated passenger ferry terminal and the building of a number of pontoon berths required. The next stage is the completion of phase 1 through the installation of the pontoon berths and I hope planning permission will be granted in this regard soon. The contract will be awarded in the autumn with the work completed by spring 2007. The provision of the deep water quay is the next stage and this will provide a facility for the larger pelagic vessels using the harbour and for visiting foreign and domestic trawlers. The deep water quay will also be available to serve other industries such as offshore exploration.

With regard to funding, €84.35 million is available under the national development plan while up to the end of 2005 the Department had spent €120 million under this programme. This year €22.5 million is available for fishery harbour development. Planning permission rather than money is the issue. I hope permission will be granted soon and then we can go to tender to award the contract.

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