Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent) | Oireachtas source

This Topical Issue matter relates to damage caused by the recent storms at Polawaddy slipway. I am glad to see the Minister, Deputy McConalogue, is present to respond to it. As a fellow Donegal Deputy, he knows the slipway I am talking about at Polawaddy on Árainn Mhór. He knows too the extent of the damage it suffered from the pictures that were sent to us by members of the Irish Islands Marine Resource Organisation. The recent succession of storms that hit Ireland caused disruption and damage in numerous areas across the country. I acknowledge that in most instances the damage could be categorised as what we would expect from such weather events or as nothing out of the ordinary. Certainly, the destruction was not anywhere in the range of storms such as Storm Ophelia or Storm Desmond of recent memory, but there are always exceptions, and in this instance Polawaddy is in that category.

I acknowledge the increase in funding the Minister provided last year, which benefited Donegal County Council to the tune of more than €850,000. As the Minister is aware, the local authority in Donegal has more than 150 piers and harbours under its control, one of the highest, if not the highest number of any local authority in the country. I am also aware of the recent provision of a new funding stream under the Brexit adjustment fund for piers and harbours, as recommended by the Seafood Task Force. Unfortunately, it is hard to see how emergency repair works such as are needed in Polawaddy would properly fit the bill under this fund.

Our inshore fishing sector relies on piers, slipways and harbours, such as Polawaddy, and they have been hit hard by successive Governments due to restrictions and bans being placed on the types of fishing they can engage in. Yet many are still engaged full time in the sector and draw their sole income from it. It is beyond a job for these people; it is a way of life, one that has more than just an economic value to be placed on it. There is also the culture and heritage value of the traditional fisheries which utilise such local infrastructure. These aspects were recognised by the Minister's party, in opposition, when it wholeheartedly supported the Island Fisheries (Heritage Licence) Bill. I hope that recognition survived the transition across the floor to sit with Fine Gael.

On a serious note, the main reason I bring this issue to the Minister's attention today is the immediacy of the funding need in this case. I ask that he look to make a one-off allocation of emergency funding to cover the cost of repair and ancillary works required to protect from a similar occurrence. Perhaps he could do so in collaboration with his ministerial colleague in the Department of Housing, Heritage and Local Government. Will the Minister commit in the House today to engage directly with the marine engineering section in Donegal County Council and commit to funding the costs of these repairs?

Paramount to what I ask for today are two things - speed of decision and a straightforward yes-no answer to bring back to our constituents. Speed of decision is an urgent matter because this happened unexpectedly, and the slipway needs to be got back into operation as soon as possible. Perhaps works could be carried out at the same time to protect the pier from future storms as well. A straightforward yes-no answer would be very important as well, as Donegal County Council would know where it stands and it could begin to plan what is also needed to be done. It would be vitally important for it to know that this would be done. The storm damage is exceptional. It is a one-off event.

The Department should be able to take that on board and make this right for the people of Arranmore as well.

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