The Minister for the Marine, Mr Ahern, has promised to "fast- track" a €25 million development of Castletownbere fishery harbour west Cork.
Contracts will be signed in August and work could begin in September the Minister said in Castletownbere. The pre-selection of tenders would run in tandem with preparation of contract documents, and some "necessary amendments" would be made to planning permission.
The development has been welcomed by the Irish South and West Fishermen's Organisation. The largest whitefish port has been earmarked for construction of 120 metres of quay, dredging the harbour close to the quay extension, construction of a new auction hall with on-line facilities for "e-auctioning", and provision of new accommodation for the harbourmaster and other marine department staff.
The Minister acknowledged that the fishing industry had gone through some "tough times" and said that the investment underlined the Government's commitment to the industry. It would also allow Castletownbere to develop a stronger tourism industry in tandem with commercial fishing, as the premier whitefish port, he said.
The Minister's visit came at a time when two new vessels worth €16 million remained tied up at the quay in Castletownbere, having been refused licences. Mr Ahern said the matter was one for the independent licensing authority which he had established.
"If the owners are dissatisfied with any decisions, they can discuss these with this authority," he told The Irish Times. It is understood negotiations are still continuing in relation to the future of the new vessels, which were refused licences on the basis that they were built to specifications which had not been agreed under the Government's whitefish renewal scheme.
