John Browne T.D., Irish Minister of State at the Department of Communications, Marine & Natural Resources this week announced a record investment of nearly €33.32 million in new Harbour and Coastal Infrastructure Projects around the country.
The single most significant new project being undertaken this year is the construction of a new quay at Castletownbere Fishery Harbour Centre. €12 million has been allocated for this project alone. The development of the harbour will allow for larger vessels carrying deeper draft and will accommodate all of the new modern vessels which have entered the Castletownbere fleet.
"The enhancement of our harbours and coastal infrastructure is an integral part of the Government's Marine Strategy which I launched with An Taoiseach Bertie Ahern T.D. earlier this year. The funding provided is concrete evidence of the Government's commitment to following through on this strategy and ensuring a vibrant and sustainable future for the Irish seafood industry," commented Minister Browne on making the announcement.
In addition to the funding of the five main Fishery Harbour Centres the 2007 programme also proposes significant expenditure on small harbours. They are those harbours around the coastline under Local Authority control which supplement and underpin the activities undertaken in the country’s larger harbours.
