£20m development for Killybegs fishing port

Twenty million pounds is to be spent on development of Killybegs fishing port. Fishermen have been complaining that conditions in the port have been limiting expansion of the industry. The development plan was announced this afternoon by the Minister for the Marine.

Killybegs fishermen have been arguing for a new pier for some time. Killybegs has the biggest fishing boats in the Irish fleet and accounts for 30% of the entire national catch. The offshore exploration sector has also expressed interest in using the north-western port as a base. Together with expected expansion in the local fleet under renewal and replacement schemes, there is a lot of pressure on pier space, which has been causing problems for vessels preparing to go to sea and unloading catches in port.

The Minister for the Marine, Dr Michael Woods, this afternoon announced Government approval for a £20m investment in the port. There has been some concern that plans announced like this take some time to go ahead and can be subject to the political mood of the time, but the Minister said he had put a firm timetable in place. The design is to be agreed within six months, followed by a planning application to Donegal County Council and then tenders for a 12-month construction programme.

The new pier will be located in the outer harbour, where the investigation work has already been carried out. It will be between 300m and 400m long and 30m to 40m wide. There will also be a new slipway for the local Marine Emergency Service rescue boat and for marine tourism and leisure activities.