92 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for the Marine the policy basis upon which a decision was taken that all port development projects undertaken to the east of a line drawn from Lough Foyle to the Old Head of Kinsale should receive a maximum rate of grant aid of 50 per cent, rather than 75 per cent applying in the rest of the country; if this was based on economic or social considerations; its relationship to the pattern of demand for port facilities in the areas in question; whether this distinction will continue under the Structural Funds programme for the period 1994-1999; and the impact of this distinction on the amount and likelihood of assistance for the development of a new port at Mornington, County Meath.

The policy of differing levels of grant aid in areas to the east and west of a line drawn from Lough Foyle to the Old Head of Kinsale applies to grant aid provided in respect of development projects undertaken in the fisheries interest at non-State owned harbours.

This policy is a long standing one. I believe that the policy is out-dated and does not reflect the capacity of the various maritime local authorities to contribute to the costs of such development projects. In view of this, the matter is currently being reviewed in relation to the Fishery Harbour Development Programme for the 1994 through 1999 period and in this regard preliminary discussions have taken place between the Departments of the Marine, Finance and Environment.