Mairead Farrell (Galway West, Sinn Fein)
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1604. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will share the new report in relation to the recent review of the cost benefit analysis of the Deep Water Quay project for Ros an Mhíl harbour; the timeline for the next steps to advance the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43174/21]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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Ros an Mhíl is one of six designated Fishery Harbour Centres owned, operated and maintained by the Department under statute. The other five are located at Castletownbere, Dingle, Dunmore East, Howth and Killybegs. Funding is made available on an annual basis by the Department to the Fishery Harbour Centres, including Ros an Mhíl, via the Fishery Harbour and Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme.

The possibility of a deep-water berthing project at Ros an Mhíl FHC has been mooted for some time, as of yet no decision has been made to invest in its development. Any decision to decide to proceed to a detailed design phase of such a project would be predicated on an overall decision to proceed with the project as a whole.

The Department took the prudent step to review the Wave Modelling studies previously carried out in 2002 to ensure that the analysis takes account of both the revised Quay Development layout and the influence of climate change on wave models affecting the FHC. Separately the Department has also commissioned a review of the Cost Benefit Analysis Report previously carried out by DKM Economic Consultants Ltd in 2017, again incorporating the revised Quay Development layout. Both studies are obviously interlinked in that the Wave Modelling outcome will likely influence the Cost Benefit Analysis and final reports are expected in November/December 2021.

As is the case regarding developments in the six Fishery Harbour Centres generally, any future decision on a possible deep-water berthing project in Ros an Mhíl FHC, will only be considered on the basis of available Exchequer funding and competing national priorities.