Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)
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I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Tom Hayes, to the House.

Averil Power (Independent)
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I have tabled the matter to highlight the urgent need for Howth Harbour to be dredged in order to ensure its long-term viability as a commercial fishing port, leisure harbour and tourism destination. The harbour has silted up to such an extent in recent years that the situation in Howth is bordering on being dangerous. Even medium-sized fishing trawlers cannot enter the harbour at low tide whereas a few years ago, the harbour was accessible in all but the worst of weather. Now boats have to lie off before entering the harbour for fear of catching the bottom and damaging their vessels. Also, movement around the trailer basin at strong low tides is impossible. Groundings are now more commonplace and can result in serious engine damage.

The silting has also created problems for the Dublin Bay ferry service which has found it cannot keep to its schedule because it is restricted in terms of entering the harbour at Howth. The ferry also uses Dublin Port and Dún Laoghaire Port and does not have such problems there. Leisure boats encounter difficulties, which is likely to have a seriously detrimental effect on Howth Yacht Club's ability to hold major national and international sailing events. I have also been told that it is now a regular occurrence for visiting boats, in particular, to run aground in the entrance channel and within the harbour. I have been warned that it is only a matter of time before the harbour is blocked by grounded vessels, compromising safety and potentially preventing the operation of emergency services, including the lifeboat.

I understand that even after a decision to dredge the harbour has been made, it may take two to three years to carry out the dredging programme as the necessary permits and licences will have to be obtained. In the meantime, the crisis will get worse with more groundings and more risk to harbour users. The annual accumulation of silt may cause some harbour activities to completely cease within two to three years. Potential future business opportunities and proposed leisure activities and events will not be given a chance without a scheduled commitment to dredge the harbour.For these reasons and others, it is essential that the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine commits now to dredging Howth Harbour as a matter of priority and immediately sets aside funding for this.

Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)
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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.

Averil Power (Independent)
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I welcome the Minister of State's confirmation that Howth stands up as a project and that dredging is needed. As I said, there is evidence to support that. The Minister of State said that the 2016 programme is still being considered, therefore, it has not yet been finalised, so there is still time for Howth to be included in it. That is essential and consideration of it should not be deferred until the investigation is complete. As the Minister of State said, the case for dredging is already clear.

With regard to the scope of the works and what exactly needs to be carried out, the investigation will be helpful in determining that but we all know that Howth Harbour needs to be dredged. I can give the Minister of State visual evidence of trawlers that have run aground in the harbour. I have photographs of such trawlers. It is very clear that the work needs to be done. The key issue is to get a commitment to get the work started as soon as possible because things are getting worse all the time.

From the perspective of the yacht club, some major international sailing events have been held in Howth in recent years, including Etchells sailing competition which is a major international prestigious competition. As matters stand, the yacht club is concerned about pitching for future events to be held in two, three, four or five years' time until there is a commitment in place that the harbour will be dredged because it does not know if it will able to deliver on hosting such events. Leisure boats are constantly running aground, especially when manned by people who are not familiar with the area. It is very important that a commitment is given now. I urge the Minister of State to talk to his officials and make sure that Howth is given serious consideration for the 2016 programme and that this is progressed as soon as possible.

Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)
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I will bring back to the Department the points the Senator has made. I agree with her, and we are at one on the need for this work to be done. It comes down to the availability of funding. Howth has very strong case. It is the only harbour in this category on the east coast and it has great potential. It would be great if they could all be done together and if we had endless resources but we do not.

The case has been made for Howth and the strong case the Senator has made this morning will also help. I will relay what she said to the officials and also to the Minister, Deputy Coveney, who is certainly very committed to this whole issue. It is one of the priorities and we want to get this work done as quickly as possible.