Minister shuts down Greencastle project

Local TD Joe McHugh has strong criticised comments made about the suspended Greencastle Harbour project in the Dáil last week by Minister Brendan Smith.

Responding to parliamentary questioning from Deputy McHugh in the Dáil last Tuesday, Minister Brendan Smith defended his Department's decision to suspend work at the pier, telling the Dáil:

‘Greencastle harbour is owned by Donegal County Council and the maintenance and development of the harbour is the responsibility of the Council in the first instance.’

But Deputy McHugh described the Minister’s statement as ‘nonsense’, saying:

“The Greencastle Harbour & breakwater project has been administered by the Department of Agriculture & Fisheries since its commencement. Minister Smith cannot simply disown the project now.

“The Department of Agriculture & Fisheries undertook the breakwater project at Greencastle as a response to a publicly—commissioned Health & Safety report, which highlighted a series of safety concerns at the Harbour.

“Abandoning the project now amounts to negligence on the part of Minister Smith. Greencastle Harbour is a vital piece of infrastructure for the local marine industry.”

Deputy McHugh is demanding full publication of the Department of Agriculture’s Fishery Harbours and Coastal Infrastructure Capital Budgets for 2007, 2008, 2009, and 2010. The Fine Gael TD said:

“The Government has consistently prioritised other harbour projects in recent years, and there must be full scrutiny of recent Harbours and Coastal Infrastructure capital budgets.”