Paudie Coffey (Waterford, Fine Gael)
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213. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to fund the dredging of Dunmore East Harbour, County Waterford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19411/13]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Dunmore East Fishery Harbour Centre in County Waterford is one of the six designated Fishery Harbour Centres, which are owned, managed and maintained by my Department.

The need for dredging works at the harbour has been recognised by my Department. Reports commissioned have indicated that 80% of the harbour sediment contains Tributyltin (TBT). Unfortunately the costs associated with the disposal of dredge spoil containing TBT is significantly higher than for material that doesn't contain TBT.

Department officials are currently actively engaged in examining various options to choose the optimum dredging solution and disposal of the resulting dredge spoil. On completion of their examination the position will be reassessed in the context of available exchequer funding and other national priorities.