Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)

I know the island and the pier well. I have visited every year for the past 15 years and, therefore, I am aware of the issue raised by the Deputy. I accept this is an issue of concern. The maintenance and development of the harbour at Cape Clear Island is my responsibility and that of my Department. The main portion of the harbour was constructed in the mid-1800s and it is of masonry construction. In the early 1900s, there were further works consisting of an inner harbour cross wall with entrance and booms at one end. Repairs and improvements to the harbour walls and deepening of the inner harbour were carried out under the Marine Works (Ireland) Act 1902. The layout of Cape Clear harbour has remained substantially unchanged since these works.

The various bodies charged with responsibility for the harbour have carried out significant works over the years to preserve its fabric. In 2005, my Department carried out major works at a cost of €870,000 to refurbish and stabilise the main pier, known as Duffy's Pier, which is on the left hand side as one enters. This is used by ferry services as the main landing pier for the island and it is currently in a safe structural condition. My Department has set aside an annual budget for maintenance and safety works at Cape Clear with annual outturns in the years 2008 to 2010 of €30,000, €43,000 and €28,000, respectively, and an allocation of €30,000 for 2011. A number of studies were also carried out at a cost in excess of €50,000 between 2008 and 2010.

Two matters are a cause for serious concern. The first relates to the penetration of large waves into the harbour during storms which render the harbour unusable. During these events, all boats retreat in to the inner harbour, which is then sealed by means of wooden booms put in place by a crane. The second concern relates to the deterioration of the outer end of the main harbour breakwater, which is referred to as the Bull's Nose and which has been exhibiting signs of stress and deterioration for years. This has manifested in several large cracks in the sides and surface of the structure. Repair works were carried out in 1999 but do not appear to have been successful.

The Department has been monitoring the Bull's Nose structure since 2006 and has noted a slow but steady deterioration. In 2009, it took the precautionary step of closing access to, and prohibiting berthing at, the Bull's Nose. Berthing and unloading of goods and passengers can continue at the main landing pier. In recent years, the Department has undertaken extensive measurements and analysis of wave conditions at Cape Clear harbour. It is clear from this work that wave conditions are complex and the issue of wave penetration into the harbour does not present a ready or obvious solution.

With regard to the stability of the Bull's Nose, the Department appointed consulting engineers in 2010 to report on the condition of the structure and to prepare a detailed design for the construction of a new or modified structure. The consultants' terms of reference stated that cognisance should be taken of the information available on the wave conditions and access problems at this harbour and, rather than reconstructing the Bull's Nose as it currently exists, should make provision in whatever way could reasonably be made for further works to improve access to the harbour. During their work, the consultants retained specialist hydraulic consultants from the Netherlands and University College Cork to provide detailed advice on the storm wave aspects of their evolving design. A report has been received from the consultants, which is being reviewed by and discussed with the Department's engineers.

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