I thank the Leas-Cheann Comhairle. Given that the Tánaiste and the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine are in the Chamber, the programme for Government commits to securing a sustainable future for the fisheries sector while supporting coastal communities. The small piers spread across our coastline and offshore islands are key pieces of infrastructure that support local communities. They enable the type of sustainable fishing that has been practised in Ireland for generations and facilitate recreational tourism opportunities.

The recent seafood task force recognised public marine infrastructure as a critical enabler to maximising the use and benefits to be gained from our rich marine resources. Every year Cork County Council and other local authorities receive vastly insufficient funds to even maintain, not to mention develop, these crucial pieces of infrastructure.

As I know that funding will be allocated in the coming weeks, I ask that the Government prioritise investment in this area, which needs to go further this time in order that local authorities can carry out that crucial work for coastal and island communities.

I thank Deputy Cairns for the question. I entirely concur with her on the importance of small marine infrastructure. It is very important to our inshore fisheries sector, in particular. It also allows us to develop the capacity of the marine resource from a leisure and a resource point of view. The past year, 2021, had a record level of funding for marine infrastructure under the control of local authorities. It was increased to over €4 million, which was an increase of one third on the previous year and was the highest on record. I will increase that significantly in the time ahead and I am highly cognisant of the report of the task force but, in particular, of the Government commitment to developing the potential of our coastal areas. I will be bringing forward an announcement in that regard in the near future.