Tony Killeen, TD, Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries & Food (with special responsibility for Forestry, Fisheries and the Marine), today officially opened the additional pontoons at Dingle Fishery Harbour Centre.
The building of the pontoons was funded under the Department's Fishery Harbour and Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme. In 2008 funding of EUR612,000 was provided and a further EUR150,000 was provided this year.
Minister cutting the tape to open the marina extension
The pontoons have the capacity to provide additional berthage for up to about 40 small fishing and marine leisure boats, and alleviate serious congestion in the harbour that was identified by harbour management and users.
Minister with (from left) former FF Senator Tom Fitzgerald, Senator Mark Daly and Dingle Harbour Master Lt. Cmdr Brian Farrell
Speaking at today's official opening, Minister of State Killeen said: "It is to be commended that through good planning and the expertise of the Departments Engineering staff and the Harbour Master, what was originally planned as a measure to make the harbour more user-friendly and safe for our fishermen, has also resulted in associated benefits for the marine leisure and tourist industry. This can only further enhance the Fishery Harbour Centres contribution to the local economy and the valuable contribution it makes to the tourist industry."
Minister with children who attend the Dingle Sailing School
