Matt Shanahan (Waterford, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I too welcome the Minister's statement. The one point I would make is that the comparison is not valid. If one looks at the size of Howth Harbour and the level of activity there and compares landings at Howth with those at Dunmore East, one will see that the landings are quite a lot more important to Dunmore East relatively. I ask the Minister to take that on board. Deputy Cullinane made a very good point about supporting and progressing commercial activity. We have had a lot of issues in the south and particularly in Dunmore East in trying to expand the fish processing sector in the region. There are obvious benefits to be obtained. We will again be debating the climate Bill in the House next week and we will be discussing emissions and so on. If one adds up the emissions of those boats being forced to go to Castletownbere or Howth, that metric alone represents a fair argument for designating Dunmore East Harbour.

See this speech in context