David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I have previously raised with the Minister a number of issues relating to the fishing industry in County Waterford, primarily in Dunmore East. I want to revisit those issues today and highlight the requests of the fishing industry in the county. During our last debate on this matter, I invited the Minister to visit Dunmore East to see the opportunities that exist to restore the village to a thriving economic hub and revive the fishing industry. I again invite him, especially now that restrictions have been eased, to come to Waterford over the summer period and meet with fishing and community representative groups in the east and west of the county to hear about, and see for himself, the current plight of the industry there.

The issue of the landing of fish from vessels based in Britain and the North in Dunmore East still has not been resolved. The Minister has consistently said it would be kept under review, which I welcomed. I ask again today how that review is going. Locals in Dunmore East want this facility returned in order to generate additional economic activity. The crews of the British and Northern vessels want it to return to prevent them from having to sail to Howth or Cork. The SFPA, which would be responsible for overseeing any landing requirements on a limited-hours basis, has said it would not require any additional capacity to carry out the functions required. I appeal to the Minister again to redesignate Dunmore East as a landing port for fish caught by British and Northern-registered fishing vessels.

Investment in Dunmore East, as in any place, is key to its future success. The existing fishing harbour is, at times, near full capacity. The construction of an outer harbour would have a dual purpose in providing further safe landing space for the fishing fleet and also promoting Dunmore East as a welcoming destination for world cruise liner visits when that industry restarts in the time ahead.

In the past, I have raised with the Minister the issue of a number of derelict buildings under the ownership of his Department that need a strategy to get them back into use, economic or otherwise. There are local enterprises that have previously expressed interest in developing these buildings. They have the support of the local authority to develop jobs and generate economic activity. I am sure that the Minister and I want the same thing. If there are derelict buildings that can be brought into use to generate economic activity, why are we not doing it or supporting it?

I understand that leases for these buildings will go out for public tender again soon. The last tender failed. Once the next tender process is complete, I ask the Minister to engage with the local authority members and local economic representative groups to ensure that we can bring these buildings back into proper use and stimulate jobs in the area. A ministerial visit to the site, or to any of the ports or fishing villages in Waterford, would be hugely beneficial. I speak to fishers on a regular basis. I know they would like to see the Minister come to Waterford and engage with them. Those in the smaller inshore fleet, in particular, are under severe pressure at present to protect their livelihoods. A sustainable and worthwhile future must be carved out for these fishers. At present in Dunmore, the fishers, who are primarily middle-aged men, are obliged to climb across five and six boats to get access to their own boats to allow them to get out to fish. The harbour master has deemed this to be a health and safety issue and perhaps a tragedy waiting to happen. A small pontoon installed in the existing harbour would resolve this issue. It is an example of the greater investment that is required and to which I have referred.

I welcome the opportunity to engage in a debate on this issue again. I previously wished the Minister well in his role. I know that he is deeply committed to fishers and to ensuring that coastal communities are properly supported. However, it must be all coastal communities right across the State. As a representative of Waterford who engages with the fishing community and who is aware of the importance of the development of the harbour of Dunmore East and of communities in west Waterford, I invite the Minister to visit the area. I also implore him to ensure that all ports, fishing communities and villages are properly supported in order that they can thrive and add economic value to the people who live in those areas.

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