MINISTER for the Marine Charlie McConalogue has provided €21 million for the final phase of the 120 metre extension project at Smooth Point in Killybegs Fishery Harbour Centre which is expected to be completed this year.
“This will support Killybegs in attracting increased fish landings from both Irish and foreign fishing vessels and in this way continue to ensure that it is the primary centre for pelagic landings in the EU and a major centre for whitefish landings,” he said.
The minister confirmed the development when he met with the the Donegal County Council Fisheries Committee this morning.
They discussed a range of topics including the impacts of the EU/UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement on fisheries, opportunities for investment in the industry including on local piers and harbours and government plans for marine spatial planning.
“I am fully aware that the loss of fishing quota and particularly the transfers to our mackerel quota and whitefish stocks in the north west is a cause of considerable concern to the industry here,” said the minister.
“I have made clear both within the formal EU Fisheries Councils and at bilateral meetings that the quota transfers that fall to us in Ireland are disproportionate in terms of burden sharing.
“I have called for mechanisms to be found to rebalance the payment more fairly and I intend to continue working with the industry to use every opportunity to press for a rebalancing of the transfers in Ireland’s favour.”
He continued, “In relation to investment in infrastructure, my department provides limited funding to assist local authorities carry out small scale projects for the development and repair of piers, harbours and slipways in their ownership which have a link to the fishing industry.
“I am happy to say that I have also increased funding for local authority capital projects nationally in 2021 to €3.6m which is a 20 per-cent increase on last year.”
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