Mairead Farrell (Galway West, Sinn Fein)
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938. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the projected timeline and milestones for the development of the deep-water quay at Ros a Mhíl; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18107/22]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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Ros an Mhíl Fishery Harbour Centre is one of the six designated Fishery Harbour Centres owned, managed and maintained by my Department under Statute. On 1st February, I announced that the Government had approved the Deep Water Quay Project at Ros an Mhíl which will add 200m of quayside and over 70% greater depth to accommodate larger fishing vessels and attract additional landings from both Irish and non-Irish fishing vessels.

On 4th February my Department published a tender for Consultancy Services. Securing this consultancy service is a necessary precursor in line with the public works contract. The tender competition closed on the 10th March and my Department has completed our assessment of tenders. All tenderers were notified on 24th March and the process is currently in the standstill period required under public procurement policy.

The successful Consultant will complete the detailed design, manage the tender process for construction works, supervise the construction works, and in due course handover completed construction works back to my Department.

My Department officials will promptly meet the Consultant after awarding the contract. Until the Consultant's work has been undertaken, the timeline or key milestones for the development cannot be specified. However my Department will be working closely with the Consultant to progress the development.

The Fishery Harbour Centres are critical to the seafood industry and how these facilities stimulate economic activity for the surrounding rural coastal communities. The Ros an Mhíl project is further evidence of this Government’s commitment to addressing the impacts of Brexit on the sector and to a strong future for Ireland’s seafood primary producers.