den Aire Iascaigh cén dul chun cinn atá dhá dhéanamh maidir le deontas a chur ar fáil le deis a chur ar chéibh an Inbhir, Gortmeile, Barr na Trá, Contae Mhaigh Eó.

My Department has recently been approached by Roinn na Gaeltachta to consider making a State grant for the repair of the quay and other works at Inver Gortmelia, Barnatra, County Mayo. This request is under consideration.

When will work commence on this harbour?

I could not indicate that. I can help the Deputy inasmuch as Inver Gortmelia was a designated area and unfortunately on March 7th of this year Roinn na Gaeltachta wrote to the Department of Fisheries indicating that sufficient Irish is not now being spoken in the district and requested the Department of Fisheries to finance the proposed scheme. State grants cannot of course, be made by both Departments for the same work. This Department are considering the matter. Any decision to pay for improvement works will require the sanction of the Minister for Finance. I will press the matter forward as quickly as I can. It has been with us only since 7th March.

Would the Minister accept that the Minister for the Gaeltacht actually visited this pier with the fishermen and also received a deputation over 12 months ago and promised to have action taken?

I am not aware of what other Ministers said or did. I am aware that on 7th March this matter came to us in the manner I have described and I will deal with it as quickly as possible.

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