Cecilia Keaveney (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 181: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources when correspondence will issue to a local authority (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9391/07]

John Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Department is in communication with the Chief State Solicitor's Office concerning the preparation of an appropriate lease in respect of the proposed works. Priority is being given to this matter, and when a draft lease has been prepared, it will be forwarded to Donegal County Council for acceptance.

Cecilia Keaveney (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 182: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources when correspondence will issue to a local authority (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9392/07]

John Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

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.

The first phase of the development at Greencastle involves the construction of a rock breakwater. Initially this involves the carrying out of mitigation works on a number of local properties (as required by An Bord Pleanála) prior to commencement of the project. The initial phase also involves some enabling works including some infilling on the foreshore to construct a haul road to the breakwater, boundary wall construction, coastal footpath formation and associated works. Once these works have been completed the breakwater itself can be constructed.

While this project was approved for funding under the Fishery Harbour Development Programme in 2006 on the usual basis of a 75% grant aid from the Department and a 25% contribution from the local authority, it did not proceed as Donegal County Council advised the Department that it was not in a position to co-fund the project at the normal rate.

Discussions have been ongoing between the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Donegal County Council and I with a view to progressing the project on an agreed basis. These discussions have been concluded and I will be making an offer of grant-aid to Donegal County Council shortly.