Killybegs, Co. Donegal, Wednesday, March 28th, 2002
Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources, Frank Fahey, T.D., today signed a contract with John Mowlem and Co. Plc (who include the wholly owned subsidiary Irishenco Construction of Kill, County Kildare) for the development of the Department’s fishery harbour in Killybegs, Co. Donegal.
Minister Fahey declared “this is great day for the people of Killybegs and the entire North-West, who can feel proud that their enthusiasm and endeavours over the years justify what will be the biggest ever Fishery Harbour development since the foundation of the State”. The Department’s investment in Killybegs will amount to € 50 million, which will be financed from the National Development Plan, with European Regional Development Fund grant aid.
Minister Fahey noted that the scale of the development far exceeds any other undertaken for the fishing industry and includes:
· 450 metres of additional berthage space at the Harbour:-
o 150 metres will facilitate vessels with a draught up to nine metres; and,
o 300 metres will provide for vessels with a twelve-metre draught
· Twenty-seven acres of foreshore will have to be reclaimed, providing for:-
o extensive open quays;
o development sites; and,
o adequate car parking.
· The development also provides for one thousand, four hundred square metres of office space to service the industry.
Minister Fahey stated “I committed myself to providing suitable infrastructure for the fishing industry here in Killybegs and today, I am signing the contract to deliver on my commitment. Killybegs is Ireland’s premier fishing port and is of vital economic importance for jobs in Donegal and the whole North West Region. Fishing and related activities are estimated to be worth c€50M to the local economy per annum. This investment confirms the Government’s commitment to supporting the fishing industry and ensuring this port’s safety and economic viability”.
He went on to say “This development will benefit not only the fishing industry as it will also facilitate the provision of services for the off-shore industry”. The Minister concluded by saying that the works will commence within a matter of weeks and continue until early 2004.
Ends
Information note for editors:
Killybegs Harbour Development – Indicative time table
Project | Estimated completion date |
Mobilisation | April 2002 |
Road works and junction development | April 2002 (2.5 months) |
Silt dredging | April 2002 |
General dredging for reclamation and quay wall construction | July 2002 (18 months) |
Ground work for building | November 2002 |
Building construction | February 2003 |
Completion | Early 2004 |
Killybegs Harbour Development – Some Interesting Facts:
Some of the principal quantities include the following:-
- 210,000 metres3 of dredged material to be used for reclamation behind the new quay wall.
- 270, 000 metres3 of imported rock fill and capping material.
- 4,000 metres3 of concrete.
- 11,200 metres2 of steel larssen sheet pile to quay walls.
- 54,000 metres2 asphalt surface roads, footpath and hard standing.
- 16,000 metres2 of reinforced concrete pavements.
Accommodation will be provided in the new development for the following:-
- Harbour Master and staff
- Dept. of the Marine & Natural Resources Sea Fishery Officers
- B.I.M.
- Marine Institute
- Customs & Excise
Killybegs Fishery Statistics: 2000 (latest available figures)
Landed fish: 85,371 tonnes (live weight)
Landed value: €26.2m
Est. value to local economy: c€50m (including direct landings, aquaculture,
processing and ancillary services)
For further information, please contact:
Tony Bass
Media & Communications Manager
Department of the Marine and Natural Resources
Leeson Lane
Dublin 2
Tel: +353-(0)1-619-9471
Fax: +353-(0)1-676-6161
Or
Tom Mc Loughlin
Press Officer
Department of the Marine and Natural Resources
Leeson Lane
Dublin 2
Tel: +353-(0)1-619-9662
Fax: +353-(0)1-676-6161