More than €6 million is to be spent on a major dredging project at Haulbowline Naval Base in Cork Harbour, with the works scheduled for completion in 2027.
The project was confirmed by Minister for Defence Helen McEntee during the Dáil debate on Budget 2027 on Wednesday, 7 October.
The Minister said the dredging forms part of the continuing redevelopment of the Naval Service headquarters at Haulbowline, which is undergoing a programme of infrastructure improvements.
The figure represents the cost of the project, rather than a specific allocation of €6 million from the 2027 annual budget.
Dredging at Haulbowline
Haulbowline is the operational headquarters of the Irish Naval Service, with its dockyard, basin and berthing facilities supporting the State's naval fleet.
Maintenance dredging is required periodically to maintain navigable depths in the naval basin and its approaches.
Documentation published by the Maritime Area Regulatory Authority (MARA) describes proposed dredging at the naval base, including works in the basin and graving dock area. The application identifies the removal of accumulated seabed material as part of maintaining access to the facility.
The Minister did not provide a detailed breakdown of the newly confirmed €6 million-plus project during her Budget statement, and its precise relationship to the published dredging applications has not been specified.
Previous Cork Harbour Naval Base Upgrades
The latest announcement follows earlier infrastructure investment at Haulbowline.
As Afloat previously reported, the Spencer Jetty upgrade was announced in 2020 as part of a programme to improve berthing capacity at the naval base.
The €1.4 million project involved strengthening the jetty structure, upgrading marine fittings and providing additional berthing facilities.
In subsequent coverage of capital works at Haulbowline, Afloat reported on the refurbishment of accommodation facilities and progress on Spencer Jetty, with investment in those projects and further planned accommodation works exceeding €12.5 million.
The latest dredging project represents another element of the ongoing investment in the Cork Harbour installation.
Sonar and Counter-Drone Capabilities
The Minister also outlined further measures to strengthen maritime security under Budget 2027.
These include plans to achieve initial operational capability for towed-array sonar aboard Naval Service vessels, as part of a wider programme to improve awareness of activity beneath the sea.
Counter-drone capabilities are also to be introduced aboard Naval Service vessels.
The Government intends to continue implementing its maritime security strategy, including improved information sharing with European partners and research into maritime surveillance, cybersecurity and energy security.
The Minister said the 2027 defence capital programme would total €340 million, an increase of 13.3%, covering investment across the Defence Forces.
The Haulbowline dredging project is expected to be completed during 2027, although the Minister did not specify a commencement date or construction timetable.
