The Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, Mr Dermot Ahern has ruled out State funding for the dredging of the harbour in Dungarvan, Co Waterford despite a four-year-old report recommending dredging in order to develop a marina.
Responding to a Dáil question from Mr Brian O'Shea TD (Labour), Mr Ahern acknowledged that a study submitted to the Department in 1999 by engineers acting on behalf of the then Dungarvan Urban District Council recommended dredging. "Any application for assistance on foot of the feasibility study was to be assessed in accordance with the procedures laid down under the marine tourism grant scheme. Unfortunately, this scheme was not pursued due to funding constraints within this Department. It will not be possible to assist in the funding of dredging in Dungarvan Harbour," he said.