Harrington welcomes funding of €100k towards further development of Castletownbere Harbour

Noel Harrington, Fine Gael TD for Cork South West, today (Wednesday) welcomed the allocation of €100,000 in funding from Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Simon Coveney TD, for further development of Castletownbere Harbour. The funding will go towards the carrying out of an underwater survey on the sea bed, to assess whether the construction of an additional deep water quay at Castletownbere is possible.

“I have lobbied, for some time now, with Minister Coveney and his officials, to secure funding to carry out this underwater survey on the southern shore of Dinish Island.  This survey will ascertain if the construction of an additional deep water quay for Castletownbere is possible.

“Today’s funding announcement is a significant step and also marks the beginning of the next phase of the development of Castletownbere as a major centre for fisheries and other appropriate commercial activity. 

“A lot of preparation work has already gone into this and I have met and worked with the local organisations Castletownbere Business Development Association, Beara Tourism Development Association, Berehaven Harbour Users Association along with the co-operation of local Harbour Master Cormac McGinley for some time now. 

“This survey will be key to realising the potential of Castletownbere, one of the safest harbours in the world, to develop and create further economic activity, which in turn will create jobs for the Beara area.

“This funding announcement tops off a great week for coastal communities around Cork, following yesterday’s allocation of over €600,000 in funds from the 2014 Fishery Harbour and Coastal Infrastructure Capital Programme . Blackrock Harbour, Glengarriff Pier, Baltimore Pontoon, Adrigole Pier, Durrus Pier, Passage Pontoon and Ballycotton Pontoon will all benefit from this funding.

“The Government will continue to support coastal communities around the country as they face such unique challenges and need particular supports. I am pleased at this significant step forward for Castletownbere and look forward to the results of the survey.”