93 Mr. Nealon asked the Minister for the Marine the plans, if any, he has to develop Sligo Harbour; if moneys will be made available from the EC Cohesion Funds for this purpose; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Sligo Harbour Commissioners have submitted a development plan comprising six projects to the Department of the Marine for consideration in the context of the preparation of the national plan for the utilisation of the next round of Structural Funds. It will not, of course, be possible to make final decisions on any of the projects submitted until such time as the ports allocation under the national plan has been determined.

I recognise, however, that port facilities at towns such as Sligo are vital links in the economic infrastructure of their areas and as such should be developed to ensure that they remain as central links in the chain of regional economic development. With this in mind I will be seeking an increased emphasis on port development in the next national plan.