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

I thank Senator Power for raising this important issue. The Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine is responsible under statute for the six fishery harbour centres located at Howth, Dunmore East, Castletownbere, Dingle, Rossaveel and Killybegs. All six fishery centres are first and foremost working fishery harbours, which provide essential services and facilities to the fishing industry around the coastline of Ireland. Each fishery harbour centre has unique features which facilitate a broad range of other diverse activities which are important from both an economic and social perspective. The Department is conscious of the need to facilitate and further develop the fishing and non-fishing activities at the harbours. This involves day-to-day operational support by harbour staff and management and development and repair of infrastructure subject to available financial resources.

I am happy to advise the House that, notwithstanding the prevailing economic environment in which we operate, in excess of €4.2 million has been invested in maintenance, development and upgrading works at Howth as part of the Department's annual Fishery Harbour and Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme from 2011 to 2014. For 2015, the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Deputy Coveney, approved funding of €1.79 million for the maintenance and development of Howth Fishery Harbour Centre. Major works for 2015 include the continued upgrading of the electrical system, provision of a small craft pontoon and traffic management works.

Siltation in Howth is recognised as an issue, as the Senator rightly pointed out, and is being kept under review. It has been discussed with various stakeholders and officials from the Department attending the Howth Harbour Users Forum on 29 January 2015 used the occasion to have a number of meetings with users, where the issue of dredging was discussed. A further meeting with Howth Yacht Club was held on 17 July where again the question of dredging was the main item of discussion.

As part the 2015 fishery harbour centre development programme, the Minister sanctioned €150,000 to carry out site investigation works in Howth for the west pier pontoon and the middle pier upgrade. The site investigation contractor commenced work on site in early November and that is expected to be substantially completed by the end of this year. It is anticipated that the report on the site investigation will be issued in early 2016. This report will include information on the nature of the material to be dredged and extent of contaminated material within the dredge footprint. This information is required to prepare a dumping at sea licence application, which will be necessary for the commencement of any dredging project that is needed in the area. It will also provide the basis for an informed estimate of the cost of dredging the harbour at Howth.

As with all other developments in the six fishery harbour centres, a dredging project at Howth Fishery Harbour Centre will be considered under future capital programmes on the basis of available Exchequer funding and competing priorities. The suite of projects for inclusion in the 2016 programme is being considered at present and the Minister will make an announcement on these in due course taking into account what has been said here and the value of Howth, particularly given its location on the east coast. I would be confident that it would be included because it stands up as a project.