Cecilia Keaveney (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)
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Question 876: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources when works on a harbour (details supplied) in County Donegal will commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29416/06]

John Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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The harbour at Greencastle is owned by Donegal County Council and responsibility for its maintenance and development rests with the local authority in the first instance. In 2006 the Department has allocated funding of €2.4 million towards the commencement of the first phase of a development project for Greencastle Harbour under the Fishery Harbours Development Programme. Under that Programme the Department provides 75% funding and the Local Authority pays the balance of25%. The proposed development at Greencastle has received full planning permission. The first phase is the construction of a rock breakwater. The second phase involves the construction of 100 metres of berthage for mussel dredger boats. The third and final phase would be the construction of a 250m long deepwater pier. The Department is currently awaiting confirmation from Donegal County Council that they will contribute the 25% funding to the development. The question of providing further funding to the project in future years depends on the amount of Exchequer funding available for fishery harbours and overall national priorities.

Cecilia Keaveney (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)
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Question 877: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources when works will begin on a breakwater (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29417/06]

John Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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Buncrana Harbour is owned by Donegal County Council and responsibility for its maintenance and development rests with the local authority in the first instance. Donegal County Council submitted an application to the Department for funding to construct a breakwater to prevent siltation at the ferry slipway and a proposed boat harbour south of the existing pier. The proposed development would include an RNLI berth with 24 hour unrestricted tidal access in the boat harbour. The estimated total cost of the project is €1.65 million. In 2006 funding of €300,000 was approved to initiate the construction of the breakwater at Buncrana. 75% of this funding will be made available via a grant from the Department while Donegal County Council will provide the remaining 25%. The Department gave approval in March 2004, subject to the resolution of an issue over rental charges, for a foreshore lease to allow construction of a marina and associated works at Buncrana and a foreshore licence to allow dredging to take place. The finalisation of the lease and licence has been delayed, as the rental issue has not yet been resolved. Donegal County Council has been contacted about this matter.