Funding is being allocated to projects that have been identified as priorities by both local authorities and the Department's Engineering Division.

Significant development work is being undertaken at Castletownbere Fishery Harbour Centre this year. The total investment for 2008 is in excess of EUR9.5m, which includes an allocation of EUR8m for the new quay construction works. 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.

Mr Browne confirmed that this year's investment included grant-aid of EUR1m for the provision of a lifeboat shore facility for the RNLI which is due to be constructed on reclaimed foreshore within Castletownbere Fishery Harbour Centre.

Minister Browne announced that investment at Greencastle will continue in 2008. Grant aid of EUR3.6m has been approved for Donegal County Council, which will enable continued progress on the construction of the breakwater at Greencastle. This project is being carried out and managed on behalf of Donegal County Council by the Department's Engineers "whose expertise and experience in this type of work is widely acknowledged as being of the highest standard". It is also,he said, a good example of effective and productive cooperation between the Department and Local Authorities.

In addition to the funding of the six main fishery harbour centres and the Greencastle project, the 2008 programme also proposes significant expenditure on various small harbours. These are harbours around the Irish coastline under local authority control that both supplement and underpin the activities undertaken in larger harbours.

"The harbours themselves are of great importance and enable the provision of employment and economic support to coastal communities," Mr Browne underlined.

The value of the contribution made by these harbours is acknowledged in the Department's allocation of over EUR6m in grant aid.

Minister Browne advised that in addition to the Programme announced today he hopes to be in a position to shortly announce significant funding for the construction of pontoons at Ross an Mhl Fishery Harbour Centre.

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