Noel O'Donovan (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I, too, welcome the British delegation to the Chamber, although as a new Senator I have not worked with Jeremy much. I put on record the appreciation of the people of this country for how relations now are. It was a testing and challenging few years. The people in my community in west Cork express positivity about the relationship. I thank our guests for their work and wish George the best in the role he is now going to take on.

I raise the issue of Union Hall pier in west Cork. Union Hall fishing port is very important to the fishing community I represent. I want to talk specifically about Keelbeg and the old pier alongside it. The old pier is in a complete state of disrepair. It is unsafe. Cork County Council has deemed it unsafe for users. The local community wants it to be developed for use. I would have used it myself with my late uncle, in his boat. I have a fear of the water yet I like to go out on it, which is unusual. Early last year the Department of the marine met with Cork County Council and local users and public representatives. A commitment was given to fund 75% of the works to the pier if Cork County Council could get it to the shovel-ready stage. In the months following, no written confirmation of this was received. I have been checking up on it in recent months. We are at the stage now where Cork County Council still has not received that confirmation. The Department of the marine has said it never gave a commitment to expend it in writing. The local community is left in deep frustration with no pier works beginning. This is going to take a major amount of money and expenditure by the local authority but it needs assurances from the Department that if the project can be got to the shovel-ready stage, the Department will work with the council to progress the overall scheme. There is deep frustration within the community. I attended a public meeting last night. I have spoken directly to the Minister on the matter and would welcome if the Leader could communicate to him that it was raised here in the House today.