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Minister Killeen Welcomes Agreement On Long-Standing Doolin Pier Issue

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Minister Killeen Welcomes Agreement On Long-Standing Doolin Pier Issue

Written by Mark Dunphy
Thursday, 22 November 2007
22nd November 2007 - The development of a new pier in Doolin moved a step closer last evening when Clare County Council presented what it described as a 'viable development proposal' to Éamon Ó Cuív, T.D., Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs. In a meeting facilitated by Minister of State and Clare T.D. Mr. Tony Killeen, it was agreed by both parties that a proposal to build a new pier in the North Clare coastal village at a cost of EUR10m would be pursued further. "This proposal represents the first time that a preferred option for developing the pier has been put forward by Clare County Council", explained Minister Killeen. He continued, "I welcome the fact that considerable progress on the issue can now take place following years of debate and discussion on what the best way forward should be. I am particularly aware of the sensitive nature of the issue at hand, which is why I have worked for many years to facilitate meetings between various interest groups including the two Government Departments and senior officials from Clare County Council." "The proposal that has been presented by the Council and well received by Minister O Cuiv is one of a number of proposals that were drafted by a team of consultants some time ago. It provides for the construction of a new pier in close proximity to the existing pier while it will require less dredging work in Doolin Harbour, which is an expensive and time consuming process", stated the Minister. Minister Killeen indicated that any advancement of the proposal would now be subject to consultation with interested parties and the approval of Clare County Council. He added that the some land acquisition issues would need to be resolved while it was likely that a foreshore licence would also have to be sought. The Minister said that he and his colleague Minister Eamon Ó Cuív had become impatient at the lack of progress on the issue. "On previous occasions, Minister Ó Cuív has expressed disappointment to me that little progress had been made regarding the commencement of improvement works at Doolin Pier. Despite having set significant funding aside, a number of outstanding issues had continued to delay improvement works from taking place. Clare County Council's proposal now moves the issue on to a new level and, hopefully, towards the provision of a new pier", said Minister Killeen. Commenting on the urgent need to provide an adequate pier in Doolin Harbour, Minister Killeen said, "Ferry operators, fishermen and the local search and rescue unit have been finding it increasingly difficult to launch their boats at low water levels. The practice of landing fish at the Pier has also become more restricted due to absence of any significant development works on the pier structure." "The provision of a new pier would have a hugely positive impact on the livelihoods of at least two-dozen fishermen from Inis Meáin, Inis Oirr, Doolin, Kilshanny and elsewhere in North Clare who regularly utilise the local fish processing plant. It would also ensure that Doolin was accessible in all tidal conditions, as there are frequent occasions when the existing pier is inaccessible to boats", concluded Minister Killeen. Mr. Éamon Ó Cuív, T.D., Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs; Mr. Tony Killeen, T.D., Minister for State at the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources and the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government; other local T.D.'s; Tom Carey, Director of Services, Transportation and Infrastructure, Clare County Council; and Mr. Donal Buckley, Senior Road Engineer, Transportation and Infrastructure, Clare County Council were present at last evening's meeting. -ENDS- Notes to Editors: Minister Killeen is available for interview and may be contacted on 0035387-2525304. Alternatively, please contact Mark Dunphy of Dunphy Public Relations on 0035386-8534900 or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it Pics are available on request. Mark Dunphy Dunphy Public Relations Clonboula, Connolly, Ennis, County Clare IRELAND www.dunphypr.com This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it 00353-868534900 (Mobile) 00353-656839692 (Fax) Bookmark with: Delicious Digg reddit Facebook StumbleUpon What are these?

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