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Greencastle battles to save
breakwater
10.02.10
by Caoimhinn Barr, Inishowen Independent
GREENCASTLE Harbour Users Committee say they will
take their fight to Europe in a bid to reverse a
Government decision to cease all work on a
breakwater project in Lough Foyle.
The marine group, which claims that the
half-finished breakwater is hazardous to harbour
users, has also taken individual complaints to the
Health and Safety Authority (HSA) to find out what
it would consider to be ‘safe and acceptable.’ A
site inspector will now be appointed by the HSA to
consider the complaints.
“Greencastle has received EU funding for several
projects in the past, the Magilligan/Greencastle
Ferry service, the pilot station and a jetty for
Londonderry Port,” a spokesperson for the Harbour
Users Committee said. |
“The works funded
within these projects also serve as facilities for
cruise liners anchoring off the coast. This means
that Greencastle has tourists, ferry passengers,
workboat crews, pilot boat crews and marine industry
trainees all using the harbour on a daily basis
along with the fishing community. The safety of all
these people is being put at risk by the abandonment
of works on the breakwater.”
Labour Councillor Martin Farren said Donegal County
Council should refuse to accept the project in its
current state. |
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Mr. Farren, who tabled
a motion on the breakwater at last night’s County
Council meeting in Lifford, is demanding answers to
some urgent questions.
“I want to know if the County Manager has received
any correspondence from the Department regarding the
closure of the breakwater project? If not, why not?”
he said.
“Planning permission was granted for this project
after a lengthy process, which included several
stringent conditions. What will An Bord Pleanala’s
position be now?
“Also, will falling rocks and debris from the site
impact adversely on the local marine environment? I
will be seeking answers to all these questions,” Mr.
Farren added.
“Minister Dempsey allocated €10m for a 7km cycle
route in Dublin but we get nothing here. I am
calling for €5m to be made available for this
essential project.”
To date the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and
Food has spent €8.2m on the breakwater. A further
€104,000 has been allocated to demobilise the
project.
A closure date for the site is set be announced next
week and, to coincide with this announcement, the
Harbour Users’ Committee will host a public meeting
in Greencastle Community Centre to galvanise a mass
protest campaign. |
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