Fahey announces €1 million
Major Harbour Regeneration Plan to go ahead
Dublin, Friday, 26th April, 2002.
Frank Fahey T.D., Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources today announced a grant aid allocation of €1 million for Sligo Harbour under the BMW Region - Seaports Measure of the National Development Plan.
The Minister said “this funding will enable Sligo Harbour Authority to initiate its Sligo Harbour Regeneration Plan, 2001.” The Plan, drawn up by Atkins McCarthy Consultants on behalf of the Harbour Board, aims to develop the harbour estates, maximise income from under-utilised assets and develop new sources of revenue from its existing property portfolio to underpin a broad range of developments at the harbour.
“Sligo Port is trading profitably and has a considerable inventory of leasehold assets but it needs to diversify and fully exploit its potential use as a mixed purpose harbour. As well as shipping, the Harbour has the potential to develop marine tourism and leisure activities to compliment local sailing activity” added Minister Fahey.
“Local participation by Sligo County Council is essential to the successful future of the harbour”, said the Minister who went on to explain that the investment will facilitate the transfer of responsibility for the Harbour, in line with Government policy and as provided for in the Harbours Act, 1996, to the local authority who represent the ultimate beneficiaries of the activities of the harbour and its users.
“This funding is ring-fenced for Sligo Harbour under the N.D.P. It will require co-financing of at least €0.34 million under the terms of the programme and I anticipate that Sligo County Council, to whom it is intended to transfer control of the harbour, will provide the balance of required funding” stated the Minister
Concluding Minister Fahey said, “This investment, and future management arrangements for the Harbour, will provide the stimulus to regenerate Sligo Harbour in line with the Harbour Commissioners own plans and for the benefit of the community as a whole and those who depend on it for their livelihoods”.
ENDS.
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