Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)
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Question 142: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will evaluate and address safety concerns at Greencastle Harbour in view of funding withdrawals from capital works due to possible work cessation at the location; his views on whether works started should be completed if safety concerns are raised, in view of the harbour's role as a major ferry crossing port; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19481/09]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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Greencastle Harbour is owned by Donegal County Council and responsibility for its operation, maintenance and development rests with that local authority.

The recommended development option for Greencastle consists of three main phases. The first phase of the development is the construction of a 290m long breakwater to give shelter to the new harbour, the second phase is the construction of a berth for the mussel dredgers that operate in the harbour and the final phase is the construction of a deep water berth inside the harbour.

The first phase of the project is being managed by my Department on behalf of Donegal County Council and is being jointly funded by my Department (75% of expenditure), Donegal County Council (12.5 % of expenditure), and the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs (12.5 % of expenditure).

â'¬1.6 million has been committed to this project in 2009 to continue phase 1 of the development and my Department will also continue to ensure that Health and Safety will not be compromised on the Breakwater Development at Greencastle. In this regard appropriate measures are being taken to ensure that the breakwater will be suitably armoured and protected as its construction is advanced seawards from the shore.

Other control measures being taken include deployment of navigational markings, diver survey inspections of constructed breakwater works, issue of Marine Notice (No 6 of 2009), warning all Shipowners, Agents, Shipmasters, Fishermen, Yachtsmen and Seafarers in relation to the breakwater construction site and to the changed tidal current patterns in the Greencastle area. In this regard it is incumbent on all Shipowners, Agents, Shipmasters, Fishermen, Yachtsmen and Seafarers to proceed with due diligence and care while navigating in the vicinity of the breakwater which is under construction and while entering Greencastle harbour.

Future funding for phase 1 of the Greencastle Harbour development project will be considered in the context of funding commitments from Donegal County Council, available Exchequer Funding and overall national priorities.