Killybegs business leaders call for clarity over pier plans

Killybegs Harbour Development Group are calling on the Minister of Agriculture, Food & Marine and DAFM Officials to immediately clarify their position and timeframe for the promised pier extension at the busy port.

It follows concerns that €10m funding for a desperately needed extension to the new pier at Killybegs has been pulled at the eleventh hour.

The Killybegs Harbour Development Group which represents 1,150 employees in total, comprises boat owners, factories, marine service providers, engineering firms etc.

It was formed in 2017 as a co-ordinated effort by local businesses to push for necessary infrastructural improvements in the busy fishing port.

A spokesman said “Department officials promised Killybegs businesses as recently as this summer that a 120 metre extension to be built to the north wall of the new pier would be available in 2019.

“These plans were so advanced that in fact the first phase of dredging works is complete and a contract for the next phase has been put out to tender. The group is extremely concerned that the planned development has ground to a halt for an undetermined timeframe.

The group pointed to a recent report from BIM “The Business of Seafood 2017” which confirmed that Killybegs Harbour is Ireland’s premier fishing port both in terms of value and volume.  In 2017 it recorded a very impressive 24% growth of fish landed vs 2016 which equates to an additional €40 million in revenue for the year.

The number of vessels landing in Killybegs and the value of the fish landed continue to grow, which coupled with growth in cruise liners and other traffic visiting the port, is putting pressure on the harbour for additional pier facilities.

Lee Mooney, chairman of Killybegs Harbour Development Group said local businesses have already made their plans based on having the promised 120m extension.

He said “Local fish processors had hoped to increase landings from Irish and foreign boats based on additional berths being made available. More vessels planned to land here and carry out their repairs in the port.

“Also, bookings have been taken to welcome two cruise ships on the same day on a number of occasions in 2019 which was all based on having the promised additional berthing facilities.

“We find it incredible that DAFM would pull or delay promised funding. The port badly needs this extension to help sustain existing employment and to grow our businesses. As an isolated border county, we are more exposed to threats of Brexit than perhaps anywhere else in Ireland. Once again, it would appear that Killybegs and County Donegal have been left in the cold”.

“History has shown that any public funds invested in pier infrastructure in Killybegs has easily been repaid to the exchequer through additional harbour fees paid by vessels and taxation from increased employment in the area.”

Marine Minister Michael Creed has angrily denied the claims that the €10M funding has been pulled from Killybegs harbour.

And his Department says €6.5M of funding has already been spent – bringing to €12.5 the total investment in the Co Donegal harbour since 2010.

The Minister was responding to rumours that funding to the town had been pulled. His Department says that there is a slight delay on a further €4M for environmental reasons.

His spokesman: “The Smooth Point Pier Extention Project consists of the construction of 120 metres of new quay face and associated dredging works to provide 9 metres draft at low water.

“Because some of the material to be dredged was contaminated it was divided into two phases. Phase 1 entailed the dredging and removal of contaminated material, while phase 2 entails the dredging of the remaining uncontaminated material and construction of the 120m of berthing space.

“Following the design and permitting stage work in 2015/2016 work commenced in 2017 and was completed in 2018. The final cost of phase 1 is approximately €6.5m with in excess of €4m being spent in 2018 on this project alone.

“Following the approval of a Dumping of Sea licence earlier this year, pre tender expressions of interest were sought. Subsequently full tender documentation was prepared. It is now expected, subject to budgetary considerations, to go to tender and commence works in 2019, with a project completion date in the first half 2020.

“Between 2010 and 2017 a total of €12.7m has been invested in capital projects at Killybegs Fishery Harbour Centre.”