Sinn Féin Senator Pádraig Mac Lochlainn has accused the Government of “already reneging on their commitment to Greencastle Harbour” in the Project Ireland 2040 plan.
He was responding to the latest response from the Minister for the Marine, Michael Creed to his parliamentary questions.
Senator Mac Lochlainn said the people of North East Inishowen will be exasperated at this response from Minister Michael Creed.
He said “His Department of the Marine have already spent millions of euro on a half-finished breakwater. It is astounding that they won’t even commit to completing this project that ensures safe access to Greencastle Harbour at all times.
“The Government made a commitment in black and white in the Project Ireland 2040 plan to funding capital works at Greencastle Harbour. Indeed our local Minister, Joe McHugh referenced the commitment to Greencastle Harbour in his first response to the plan.
“So I genuinely expected some clarity this time, on how Donegal County Council could draw down this funding and some time scales. Yet the response that I have received is the same guff that I have received for a number of years now.”
He added that that the Minister and his Department of the Marine have been washing their hands of responsibility for Greencastle Harbour.
He added “They have even stated that the Department of Environment are responsible for the funding of the harbour in responses last year. And in turn the Department of the Environment have passed the buck back to them.
“This now has to be sorted out by the Taoiseach. I am going to write to him, bringing his attention to the commitment and asking him to resolve the issue over what department is responsible and then to honour this commitment.
“The potential of Greencastle Harbour from a fisheries and tourism potential is immense and it can be an even more important source of income and prosperity for the people of North East Inishowen and further afield”.
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