The Government's local and European election campaign has begun in earnest in Connemara, with sanctioning by two ministers of a €6 million plan for Rossaveal harbour in Connemara. Lorna Siggins, Marine Correspondent, reports.
The development of the harbour and Aran island ferry port will be jointly funded by the Minister for the Marine, Mr Ahern, and the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Mr Ó Cuív, who is also Galway West TD.
It will focus initially on providing more berths for the Aran island ferries, and will also cover dredging of the inner harbour area and the navigation channel leading to the port.
However, the funds will not cover the cost of the plan approved in principal before the last general election when Mr Ó Cuív's fellow Galway West TD, Mr Frank Fahey, was marine minister. This would have cost €20 million if fully implemented and had proposed initial funding of €8 million.
The purpose-built fishery harbour in a Gaeltacht area of south-west Galway accounts for about €9 million in landings annually and local boats employ about 200 people in a catchment where economic opportunities are limited.
The fishing fleet supports an additional 700 jobs, according to a study undertaken by the Marine Institute.
The harbour is also used by two ferry companies serving the Aran islands, and has become increasingly congested. Two years ago, the harbour master was forced to introduce restrictions on larger fishing vessels for health and safety reasons. At this stage, there had been several groundings, and some vessels had been damaged during berthing.
Making the announcement at the weekend, Mr Ahern said the development would further boost the harbour's commercial viability.