Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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Question 365: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the return to the State from Killybegs Harbour, County Donegal, following the extension work a number of years ago; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18101/10]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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The six designated Fishery Harbour Centres, including Killybegs Fishery Harbour Centre, are managed via a statutory fund, known as the Fishery Harbour Centres' Fund, which the Comptroller & Auditor General audits on an annual basis. The most recent audited accounts available are for the year ended 31/12/2006 and show the total income for Killybegs Fishery Harbour Centre for that year to be €1,604,411.

Killybegs Fishery Harbour Centre provides a service to the fishing industry, including fish processing and ancillary services and is always open to new and increased business from the fishing industry as well as other commercial activity which is compatible with the needs of the fishing industry. My Department is conscious of the potential for further growth at Killybegs Fishery Harbour Centre and will take every opportunity to implement the recommendations of both the Killybegs Fishery Harbour Centre Marketing Strategy and the Business Plans for the Development of the Fishery Harbour Centres which were commissioned by my Department.

Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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Question 366: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the reason Killybegs, County Donegal, should not be deregulated and developed into a general port rather than just fishing; the reason this has not been carried out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18102/10]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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The harbour at Killybegs is designated as a Fishery Harbour Centre under the Fishery Harbour Centres Acts 1968 (as amended) and is managed and operated by my Department in accordance with these Acts. These Acts provide for the establishment and operation of the Fishery Harbour Centres to promote, develop and carry on sea fishing, fish processing, fishing related activities and matters connected with the fishing industry as well as any other purpose, including the provision, improvement and development of leisure or amenity facilities or for facilitating or promoting the social or economic development of the area in which the Fishery Harbour Centre is located. The 1968 Act was amended in 1998 to broaden how properties owned by the State could be used.

My Department has overall responsibility for the development of infrastructure at the Fishery Harbour Centres and for the leasing of property within the harbours. The Harbours are managed via a statutory fund, known as the Fishery Harbour Centres' Fund, which the Comptroller & Auditor General audits on an annual basis.

Killybegs Fishery Harbour Centre provides a service to the fishing industry, including fish processing and ancillary services and is always open to new and increased business from the fishing industry as well as other commercial activity which is compatible with the needs of the fishing industry. My Department is conscious of the potential for further growth at Killybegs Fishery Harbour Centre and will take every opportunity to implement the recommendations of both the Killybegs Fishery Harbour Centre Marketing Strategy and the Business Plans for the Development of the Fishery Harbour Centres which were commissioned by my Department.