Waterford Fine Gael TD John Deasy says the “resilient” fishing community of Dunmore East has endured “a legacy of bitter disappointment” due to Government “inaction”.
He made his criticisms after hearing confirmation at today's Public Accounts Committee meeting that a €4 million dredging contract for the inner harbour has been delayed until next year.
The Fine Gael deputy quoted “a litany” of consultants reports and studies into the proposed redevelopment of the State fishery port dating back almost a decade and a half — including a shelved €50-60m upgrade.
He made his criticisms after hearing confirmation at today's Public Accounts Committee meeting that a €4 million dredging contract for the inner harbour has been delayed until next year.
The Fine Gael deputy quoted “a litany” of consultants reports and studies into the proposed redevelopment of the State fishery port dating back almost a decade and a half — including a shelved €50-60m upgrade.
“There comes a point when you can’t answer reasonable questions from a fisherman or a business person in Dunmore any longer. I’ve become hesitant about giving affirmation to any Government announcement as it affects Dunmore East...”
Addressing officials from the Dept of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, he went back over the myriad findings, recommendations, “and frankly the lack of activity that has occurred” — starting with the 2000 KPMG technical and socio-economic review of infrastructural requirements in Dunmore East.
This, he said, was followed in 2003 by the Department-commissioned Kirk McClure and Morton Report. Involving preliminary designs and environmental impact assessment, it found the existing harbour was too small, and that the set-up didn’t permit proper development — “effectively a reiteration of the previous report.”
A public consultation process commenced in 2004, and planning permission for the development of the fishery harbour centre was granted the following year. In 2006 €300,000 was provided for design and a similar sum for site investigations.
Mr Deasy then referred to a 2007 cost-benefit analysis by Poseidon Aquatic Resource Management Ltd for the Dept of the Marine into a large-scale State investment highlighted the old age of the harbour, the lack of dredging since the early nineties, and the absence of safe access to the shore for yachts.
The first phase was scheduled to start in 2008 — “and then the economy collapsed.”
However, hopes were raised in March when funding of €4m was announced for the first dredging operation in Dunmore in 22 years. The build-up of sediment has seriously hampered the port’s activities, with larger fishing vessels unable to dock and having to steam to Cork or Howth instead.
The amount allocated under the capital programme is just to dredge the inner basin — “the idea of overall harbour redevelopment is not being spoken of,” Deputy Deasy said. The tender process was to be have been completed by July, but “now we learn that there’s a delay in that.”
This, he said, was followed in 2003 by the Department-commissioned Kirk McClure and Morton Report. Involving preliminary designs and environmental impact assessment, it found the existing harbour was too small, and that the set-up didn’t permit proper development — “effectively a reiteration of the previous report.”
A public consultation process commenced in 2004, and planning permission for the development of the fishery harbour centre was granted the following year. In 2006 €300,000 was provided for design and a similar sum for site investigations.
Mr Deasy then referred to a 2007 cost-benefit analysis by Poseidon Aquatic Resource Management Ltd for the Dept of the Marine into a large-scale State investment highlighted the old age of the harbour, the lack of dredging since the early nineties, and the absence of safe access to the shore for yachts.
The first phase was scheduled to start in 2008 — “and then the economy collapsed.”
However, hopes were raised in March when funding of €4m was announced for the first dredging operation in Dunmore in 22 years. The build-up of sediment has seriously hampered the port’s activities, with larger fishing vessels unable to dock and having to steam to Cork or Howth instead.
The amount allocated under the capital programme is just to dredge the inner basin — “the idea of overall harbour redevelopment is not being spoken of,” Deputy Deasy said. The tender process was to be have been completed by July, but “now we learn that there’s a delay in that.”
Cecil Beamish (centre) and Tom Moran (right) Department General Secretary Tom Moran confirmed “we had intended to spend money this year ... [but] we ran into a difficulty with the tender”.
Cecil Beamish, Assistant General Secretary in the Marine Division, explained that the contract has to be re-tendered because the bids received “were deemed, after assessment, not to be value for money for the State and involve potential cost exposures for the State for claims.”
Before seeking new, “more precise” tenders “there is further sampling and analysis being done in greater detail on all the sediments because one of the issues is the level of contamination [by heavy metals] in some of the sediment areas,” he said. Alternative ways of dealing with the material are also being looked at.
Asking when this ongoing pre-tender analysis would be finished, Mr Deasy said: “I need to actually give some certainty to the people in Dunmore East now. I think that’s very important at this point”.
Mr Beamish said “there are a number of steps to go through” but the objective is to get a new specification ready “as early as possible... Clearly the earlier in the year that that can be done the easier it will be for a contractor to carry out the works in reasonable weather conditions, and also taking account of the other [harbour] users.”
Tom Moran added that “there’s an absolute intention to conclude, or begin that, as soon as possible in the new year under next year’s capital programme. So it’s a top priority.”
But Mr Deasy said “When it comes to Dunmore East there’s a legacy of bitter disappointment as to what Government has promised and what Government has actually delivered. Or not delivered.
“There comes a point,” he said, “when you can’t answer reasonable questions from a fisherman or a business person in Dunmore any longer. I’ve become hesitant about giving affirmation to any Government announcement as it affects Dunmore East... it’s got to that point.”
While acknowledging that capital funding had been granted in the past eight years — including €450,000 in 2013 for the widening and extension of the west wharf slipway (after a lot of lobbying) — he surmised that an equivalent amount had gone into the other State harbours over the same period.
Deputy Deasy said the local community, despite countless setbacks, had proved itself “very resilient”, noting that another meeting had been held the previous evening to examine ideas in conjunction with Waterford IT, who have received funding under the Fisheries Local Area Development Scheme for a local economic stimulus feasibility study.
“They’re trying very hard to keep this village vibrant: they had a meeting last night, again, about all of these issues. Some focus and concentration needs to be given by the Department when it comes to Dunmore East and the infrastructural issues that have been identified — ad nauseam — over the last 20 years but have not been acted upon.”
Ultimately, he said, “It’s a neglected port. It has been for a long time. I mean, the litany of reports and non-action as a result is incredible, I have to say. It’s absolutely incredible. I’m going to press you on this. I’m going to chase you with regard to this particular project, for as long as it takes to get the dredging done.
“We were talking, not so long ago, about investing €60m in the harbour there. And those studies were done... There is a case to be answered... The deficit has been on the Government side here,” he said.
Cecil Beamish, Assistant General Secretary in the Marine Division, explained that the contract has to be re-tendered because the bids received “were deemed, after assessment, not to be value for money for the State and involve potential cost exposures for the State for claims.”
Before seeking new, “more precise” tenders “there is further sampling and analysis being done in greater detail on all the sediments because one of the issues is the level of contamination [by heavy metals] in some of the sediment areas,” he said. Alternative ways of dealing with the material are also being looked at.
Asking when this ongoing pre-tender analysis would be finished, Mr Deasy said: “I need to actually give some certainty to the people in Dunmore East now. I think that’s very important at this point”.
Mr Beamish said “there are a number of steps to go through” but the objective is to get a new specification ready “as early as possible... Clearly the earlier in the year that that can be done the easier it will be for a contractor to carry out the works in reasonable weather conditions, and also taking account of the other [harbour] users.”
Tom Moran added that “there’s an absolute intention to conclude, or begin that, as soon as possible in the new year under next year’s capital programme. So it’s a top priority.”
But Mr Deasy said “When it comes to Dunmore East there’s a legacy of bitter disappointment as to what Government has promised and what Government has actually delivered. Or not delivered.
“There comes a point,” he said, “when you can’t answer reasonable questions from a fisherman or a business person in Dunmore any longer. I’ve become hesitant about giving affirmation to any Government announcement as it affects Dunmore East... it’s got to that point.”
While acknowledging that capital funding had been granted in the past eight years — including €450,000 in 2013 for the widening and extension of the west wharf slipway (after a lot of lobbying) — he surmised that an equivalent amount had gone into the other State harbours over the same period.
Deputy Deasy said the local community, despite countless setbacks, had proved itself “very resilient”, noting that another meeting had been held the previous evening to examine ideas in conjunction with Waterford IT, who have received funding under the Fisheries Local Area Development Scheme for a local economic stimulus feasibility study.
“They’re trying very hard to keep this village vibrant: they had a meeting last night, again, about all of these issues. Some focus and concentration needs to be given by the Department when it comes to Dunmore East and the infrastructural issues that have been identified — ad nauseam — over the last 20 years but have not been acted upon.”
Ultimately, he said, “It’s a neglected port. It has been for a long time. I mean, the litany of reports and non-action as a result is incredible, I have to say. It’s absolutely incredible. I’m going to press you on this. I’m going to chase you with regard to this particular project, for as long as it takes to get the dredging done.
“We were talking, not so long ago, about investing €60m in the harbour there. And those studies were done... There is a case to be answered... The deficit has been on the Government side here,” he said.
Increased landings
- John also cited the Department’s most recent five-year business plan for the port 2008-13, which proposed increasing fish landings to 9,100 tonnes, and growth in harbour dues and revenues to €267,500 by last year.
- Department Secretary General Tom Moran said fishing landings in Dunmore East increased by 43% to 11,994 tonnes between 2010 and 2013.
