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Minister Simon Coveney surveying the pier at Céibh an Fheaircín, An Trá Bhán, in Connemara while on a tour appraising storm damage in the region. Accompanying him are from left, Senator Hildegard Naughton, Sean Kyne TD and Councillor Seosamh Ó Laoi.

Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney today announced details of a €23m package for the repair of public owned piers, harbours and slipways damaged during the winter storms and for investment in the ongoing development of Ireland’s public harbour network.

In announcing this initiative, the Minister said:

We are all too well aware of the damage wreaked on our harbour network during the winter storms. I am delighted to announce as part of an extended capital programme for 2014, this significant funding for the immediate repair of piers and harbours across the country.

€14.63m of funding is being provided for harbour development in 2014 and this represents a significant increase on the level of funding provided in 2013. This is an indication of the Government’s commitment to developing our fishery harbours for the benefit of our fishing industry, seafood processing sector, other ancillary marine industries, tenants and the wider community. It is part of an ongoing and long term strategy to develop and improve the facilities at our Fishery Harbour Centres and other public harbours around our coast.

The Minister continued:

The projects consisting of €23m in total capital expenditure will repair the storm damage to our vitally important fisheries piers and harbours network and will develop our harbours for the benefit of our seafood industry and the coastal communities dependent on this infrastructure. This package will help to ensure that this important infrastructure is fit for purpose in the modern era and will bring significant added value to local communities and much welcome jobs and economic activity.

Read the full press release

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