Vol. 542 No. 1
41 Mr. Higgins (Mayo) asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources if he will commission, or make available the necessary funds for, a feasibility study to determine the viability of Ballina port and harbour; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20972/01]
Ballina Port is the responsibility of the River Moy Harbour Commissioners under the Harbours Act, 1946.
The River Moy Harbour Commissioners have already undertaken a feasibility study and scoped an environmental impact assessment for the provision of sheltered berths for resident and visiting boats at Ballina Quay. This is the subject of an application for grant aid under the seaports disengagement measure of the BMW regional operational programme of the National Development Plan, 2000-06.
All applications received by my Department under the seaports measure are currently being assessed and analysed against specific criteria as laid down under the operational programme. I expect to be in a position to make a determination on the allocation of funds shortly.
Question No. 42 answered with Question No. 33.
