Trevor Sargent (Dublin North, Green Party)
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Question 428: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he will consider the need for funding being stressed by Fingal County Council following the handover of harbours under the Harbours Act 1996 in Balbriggan and Skerries and the subsequent need for extensive repairs to be carried out including the rebuilding of the harbour wall which has partly collapsed into the harbour in Balbriggan; and if he will further consider the willingness of Fingal County Council to provide matching funding in the spirit of partnership with his Department. [29090/05]

Pat Gallagher (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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Balbriggan and Skerries harbours were transferred to the control of Fingal County Council in 2004 under the Harbours Act 1996. Government policy in relation to ports, including the 11 regional harbours, is set out in the ports policy statement published in January this year by the Department. The policy statement notes that many regional harbours have neither the resources nor the capability to comply with aspects of the code of practice for the governance of State bodies, whereas their transfer to local authority control would bring improved corporate governance and allow the harbours to realise their amenity potential. The Department is working with the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government to advance the implementation of the ports policy statement with regard to the transfer of regional harbours to local authority control.

The Department has invested in essential public safety works at a number of regional harbours in 2004 and plans to continue with a similar programme of works in 2005 and 2006. The Department proposes to make funds available to allow additional works to be undertaken at the regional harbours where appropriate and justifiable, to protect the public and the fabric of the harbours. The Department is assessing what essential works might be undertaken in 2005 and 2006 within the limited budget available. A submission regarding works required at Balbriggan and Skerries harbours has been received in the Department and forwarded to the Department's engineering division for its evaluation.