David Cullinane (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for his response and acknowledgement of the importance of the harbour and funding required. The Minister of State indicated in the response that 80% of harbour sediment contains TBT, which may or may not be the case. Obviously, I cannot second guess that. Perhaps the Minister would request the Department to pass on the scientific evidence and reports which indicate same. I acknowledge that there is a report pending which examines alternative ways of disposing of the mud once the river is dredged. I again appeal to the Minister to ensure that those alternatives are fully explored and that the funding required is made available so that this issue, if real, does not in any way take away from the need to dredge the river. As acknowledged in the Minister's response, this is of huge significance and importance for the east of the county and every effort must be made to ensure it as easy as possible for as many vessels as possible to land at the harbour and port, which will have a knock-on positive commercial, economic and social value for the people of Dunmore East and the east of the county.