Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Senator Cullinane for giving me an opportunity to clarify the Department's position on the harbour.

The harbour at Dunmore East is one of the six designated fishery harbour centres that are owned by the State and managed and maintained by my Department. Their primary purpose is to provide facilities and services for the fishing industry and fisheries-related activities. Capital funding is made available on an annual basis by my Department to the fishery harbour centres, including Dunmore East, via the fishery harbour and coastal infrastructure capital development programme.

I am happy to advise that my Department has over the years continued to support the development of Dunmore East fishery harbour centre and provided significant funding for maintenance, development and upgrading works each year. Approximately €4 million in capital expenditure under the programme has been invested in Dunmore East Harbour from 2007 to 2012. In 2013, €827,000 was approved under the programme. The expenditure is in recognition of the valuable contribution the harbour makes not only to the fishing industry but also to the local community, through the support the harbour infrastructure provides to the development of the tourism industry and the local economy generally.

Dunmore East fishery harbour centre provides a dedicated and essential service to our fishing fleet. Both local and visiting fishing vessels, including vessels of significant dimensions, are currently availing of the harbour facilities at Dunmore East. However, larger vessels have difficulties accessing the harbour when laden with fish. Due to the accumulation of silt in the harbour there are only two suitable berths that have sufficient depth to cater for them when unloading.

From a general perspective, investment in Dunmore East fishery harbour centre in recent years is bearing fruit and the data provided to me by the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority indicates a year-on-year increase in fish landings in recent years.

The need for dredging works at the harbour has been recognised by my Department. It is acknowledged that further commercial development of the harbour, particularly to attract increased landings from fishing vessels, is and will remain restricted until the present situation with accumulated silt is resolved. The silting of the harbour has occurred gradually over time. Reports commissioned indicate that 80% of the harbour sediment contains TBT. Unfortunately, the costs associated with the disposal of dredge spoil containing TBT is significantly higher than for uncontaminated material. The most recent estimates for dredging the harbour and disposing of the dredge spoil material in an appropriate manner are estimated to be in the region of €4 million, subject to a tendering process. This represents a significant expenditure in the current economic environment. Any decisions on progressing works will be taken in the context of available Exchequer funding and other national priorities.

My Department has engaged consultants to examine and report on a number of alternative options in terms of the structuring of the necessary works and the potential expenditures involved. On 13 March 2013 the consultants provided the Department with their report. My officials have examined the report in detail to determine the most appropriate approaches to the project. Final decisions will be taken in light of the capital budget for 2014 and having consideration of the best strategic use of those funds nationally.

In the meantime, my Department will continue to invest in the Dunmore East fishery harbour centre facilities. More than €800,000 was allocated under the 2013 capital programme, a large proportion of which was spent on the much-needed slipway extension and widening that is now substantially complete. The project is an indication of the importance the Government places on developing Dunmore East fishery harbour centre. When the project has been completed, harbour users will have a fit-for-purpose facility that is required to provide for the increased level of fishing and leisure activities in the harbour.

I am cognisant of the need to be kept fully aware of the requirements of harbour users at Dunmore East fishery harbour centre on an ongoing basis. My Department's officials regularly host a harbour users' forum and meet local stakeholders and harbour users. The forum provides a platform for harbour users to air their views. It gives my officials an opportunity to hear at first hand the concerns and suggestions of people using the harbour facilities.

To conclude, Dunmore East fishery harbour centre will continue to be important in the consideration, preparation and roll-out of future fishery harbour and coastal infrastructure development programmes. Funds, subject to budgetary constraints, will continue to be made available for necessary maintenance and improvement of the facilities in Dunmore East and for the betterment of the port, its users, and the local economy.