Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent)
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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.

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Deputy for raising in the Dáil the need to address the damage done to Pollawaddy pier. I am glad to be able to provide a broad overview of the work I and my Department are doing to support Donegal County Council and other local authorities in terms of improving our small piers and harbours.

In regard to Pollawaddy slipway, I have spoken to the county manager, John McLaughlin, on the matter. The county council be will be assessing the case. I have no doubt the county council engineer, Cathal Sweeney, who does tremendous work throughout the county in terms of maintenance and development of our small piers and harbours and is an Arranmore islander, is very much on top of this case in terms of assessing the impact of the damage. The Department has not yet been formally notified of the impact of the damage. In the first instance, as it is a local authority managed pier, it is a matter for the local authority to assess and to identify the repair challenges and how they can be addressed. In terms of my role in this area and that of the Minister for Rural and Community Development, if we get any feedback from the county council on the challenges, we will engage. It is important this key pier and harbour is repaired. It is crucial for the islanders in terms of the fishing sector there and for the inshore fishers in the work they carry out and who need to be able to get on with their livelihoods in a safe manner.

No more than Deputy Pringle, the inshore sector is one I value and support, which we have to do. It can be a difficult lifestyle and livelihood but it is a really important part of our heritage and economy, in particular a really important part of our island economy. Pier and infrastructure funding is crucial in that regard. Last year, I announced record funding for small piers and harbours throughout the country. As mentioned by Deputy Pringle, Donegal received the highest allocation of any county in respect of its piers and harbours. A few weeks ago, for the first time ever, I announced a support scheme that delivers €4,000 for inshore fishers with boats longer than 8 m and €2,800 for smaller vessels, again as a means of supporting inshore fisher incomes. Crucial to their income is having the capacity, the facilities and the infrastructure.

The Government is putting huge emphasis on the development of our piers and harbours, in particular their availing of the opportunity under the Brexit adjustment reserve. I have been engaging with my Cabinet colleagues on an ongoing basis on how we leverage the available funding to maximise the benefit in every way we can for small piers and harbours and that infrastructure. There has been a real challenge in terms of the quota impact arising from Brexit. We fought to represent our national sector in every way possible. Coming out of that, we want to build, support and fund the sector. We want to ensure the infrastructure is there and to develop the piers and harbours.

In the case of Pollawaddy, it was impacted by Storm Franklin. It was a very challenging night across Donegal in terms of infrastructure. It was a particularly challenging night, as the Deputy will know, for mica homeowners as well. It was very distressing for everyone. A reflection of the impact of the storm was the damage done at Pollawaddy. As I said, the local authority is assessing the damage and, as Minister, I will engage with it in any way I can to be supportive of ensuring the repairs are completed.

Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent)
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I thank the Minister for the overview in regard to the piers and harbours. There are two aspects to this, that is, the ongoing maintenance in terms of the Brexit reserve fund, which was mentioned by the Minister, and normal Government funding for piers and harbours. Donegal may have received the largest allocation, but as it has the highest number of piers, that makes sense. It is a pity we had to have a Minister from Donegal to ensure that would be recognised. It is at least recognised now. It is to be hoped that will continue.

In this instance, we need once-off funding. That is important. The Minister has gone some way towards recognising that. I acknowledge he has spoken to the county manager and he is awaiting a report from the local authority. The Minister will need to put pressure on the council to ensure it reports back to him. It will then be a matter for the Department because the council would not have the resources to deal with this. I urge the Minister to keep the pressure on Donegal County Council, as we all will do, in regard to a timely report and to ensure, following on from that report, that funding will be made available. It is vital this pier is repaired as soon as possible. I urge the Minister to keep the pressure on and to be ready to put in place the funding on receipt of the report.

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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I again thank Deputy Pringle. In the first instance, Donegal County Council as the local authority that manages the pier and harbour, is assessing the impact of the damage and repair requirement. I have no doubt it will engage as appropriate with me and the Government in regard to the challenges there. It is important the work to repair the pier is carried out as promptly as possible.

The islanders will be well represented in terms of engaging with Donegal County Council. The Irish Islands Marine Resource Organisation is a very important producer organisation on behalf of inshore fishers. Last year, I worked hard to ensure it got producer organisation status, which I believe is a big step forward for our inshore fishers and for islanders in particular. Since it has received full producer organisation status, the chairman, Jerry Early, and chief executive officer, Seamus Bonner, have been tremendous advocates on our national fishing scene for islanders and inshore fishers. I have no doubt they will be engaging and working with the local authority to have this particular issue regarding Pollawaddy pier fully considered. Local councillor, Noreen McGarvey, has been in touch with me specifically on this issue as well to highlight the importance of a prompt resolution.

I thank Deputy Pringle for raising this matter in the Dáil. It is important there is an acknowledgement of the importance of these piers and harbours on our islands in particular, that they are recognised on the floor of the Dáil as being very important, and that we all then work together to ensure the infrastructure and facilities in place are appropriate to supporting our inshore fishers in carrying out their livelihoods. Following on from the storms such as we have seen, it is important we act promptly. I know Donegal County Council will do that. I look forward to working to support the council in that work.