Seán Haughey (Dublin Bay North, Fianna Fail)
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571. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will sanction the dredging of Howth fishery harbour centre in view of the fact that the silting problem is becoming serious; the issues to be considered and the process to be followed in respect of this application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22148/17]

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

Regarding a possible dredging project in Howth Fishery Harbour Centre, preparation work has been underway for some time. I would advise the Deputy that a report from a site investigation works, which was commissioned in 2015, was received by my Department in March 2016. The report included vital information on the nature of the material to be dredged in any future dredging project.

The information revealed from the Site Investigation Report indicated that some of the dredge material would not be suitable for conventional disposal at sea.

In June 2016, a firm of consulting engineers were engaged to prepare a report on a potential dredging project at Howth, to include the possible scope of the project, various disposal options for the dredged material at Howth and permitting requirements.

An initial draft of this report was received by my Department in February 2017 and the final report was received on 14th March last. This report is currently being reviewed by my Department's Marine Engineering Division.

Depending on the outcome of this review, and as is the case for all developments in the six Fishery Harbour Centres, any decision with regard to progressing this project further will be considered under future Capital Programmes on the basis of available exchequer funding and competing priorities.