Written answers

Tuesday, 6 November 2018

Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Harbours and Piers

Photo of Michael Healy-RaeMichael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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783. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding a harbour; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45449/18]

Photo of Michael CreedMichael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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My Department owns, operates and maintains six designated State-owned Fishery Harbour Centres, located at Castletownbere, Dingle, Dunmore East, Howth, Killybegs and Ros An Mhíl under statute. In addition, my Department also has responsibility for the upkeep and maintenance of North Harbour at Cape Clear, as well as the maintenance of a small number of specific piers, lights and beacons throughout Ireland, in accordance with the 1902 ex-congested Districts Board piers, lights and Beacons Act, the aids to navigation located at Derrynane Harbour fall within the remit of my Department as a consequence.

I would advise the Deputy that the leading lights at Derrynane Harbour are operational and were upgraded in 2013. The two beacons referred to provide safe navigation to mariners on approach into Derrynane Harbour and have traditionally never been fitted with lights. These beacons are currently showing signs of structural deterioration and require repair and upgrade works.

To that end, my Department has engaged the services of Consulting Engineers to prepare detailed design for repair and upgrade works. A design has been completed and is currently under review by the Department’s Marine Engineering Division. It should be noted that as part of the design process, detailed consultation has taken place with local users and locals concerned in regard to the heritage value of the existing beacons in order to take their concerns on board.

While no final decisions on the details of the 2019 Fishery Harbour and Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme have been made at this stage, I have increased the overall allocation to this Programme by €6.29m to €27.29m, and expect the necessary repair and upgrading works on these beacons at Derrynane Harbour, including the provision of new lighting, to be carried out in 2019.

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