Sorca Clarke (Longford-Westmeath, Sinn Fein)
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865. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the dates in 2021 and to date in 2022 on which he met formally with the harbour master or equivalent to each of the fishery harbour centres under the remit of his Department in tabular form. [23107/22]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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My Department has responsibility for the six state owned Fishery Harbour Centres at Killybegs, Ros an Mhíl, Dingle, Castletownbere, Dunmore East and Howth. The Harbour Masters carry out a difficult and complex job in their vital role in the management, maintenance and safe day to day operations of the harbours under their remit.

As soon as it was safe to do so, I made a conscious effort to visit all of the Fishery Harbour Centres during the latter half of 2021. I was delighted to meet with many harbour staff and to inspect the smooth operations of the centres during my visits. I have already returned to Ros an Mhíl in February this year and I hope to be able to return to the remaining centres before the year is over.

I am very conscious of the committed staff in all offices across my Department and I make an effort to meet with my teams whenever possible. The Deputy will appreciate that with over 3,000 staff working in all 26 counties this is not always possible but I hope that all staff in my Department understand that I recognise the diverse and impactful work they carry out every day.