Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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1432. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the details of all the agencies and or bodies with which his Department consulted prior to the decision to submit an application for a permit for the disposal of dredge material at sea from Killybegs Harbour; the analysis that has been carried out with respect to the economic impact which such activities may have on the area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1253/17]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Killybegs Fishery Harbour Centre is one of the six designated Fishery Harbour Centres which are owned, managed and maintained by my Department under Statute.

My Department is currently progressing a project for a proposed 120 metre quay extension at Smooth Point on the new pier at Killybegs Fishery Harbour Centre. This project is in recognition of, and to facilitate, increasing levels of fish landings, commercial cargo and cruise liner activity in the Port, generating much needed economic benefits to the town and surrounding areas. It will also enable the relocation of larger fishing vessels from the Blackrock Pier to the new berthage area improving the safety and operations of the harbour.

At this point the project is at statutory permissions stage and the Department has applied to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for a permit to dispose at sea approximately 94,500m3 of uncontaminated silt and gravel to be dredged as part of the proposed quay development, at a site to be approved by the EPA.

The Department engaged consultants with specialist expertise to deliver this project, and as part of the Public Consultation on the Dumping At Sea (DAS) conducted in March 2016, letters were forwarded to 110 interested parties (see list) with twenty two respondents. The responses formed part of the submission to the EPA.

The Department expects that when complete this project will have a positive economic impact on Killybegs and its’ environs. Once the necessary consents are in place, the Department's Engineers will adopt appropriate procedures and deploy the necessary surveillance and monitoring equipment to ensure the project has a neutral impact on the environment. This programme will commence prior to the disposal operations and continue thereafter for an appropriate duration to safeguard the marine environment.

List of External Consultees for Killybegs Smooth Point Pier Development and Dumping ast Sea Application