The people of Union Hall, Glandore and surrounding areas are rightly frustrated with the progress on promised improvements to their local pier. These promises are going on for years, and in that time, they have had visits from the Taoiseach and the former Minister for agriculture and the marine, looking at what needs to be done and raising the hopes of local fishermen and the tourism sector that funding would be given, but nothing has followed. The local authority has said there are three phases to the works that need to be done: first, refurbishment of the old pier; second, development of an additional 150 m of quay space for commercial fishing; and third, dredging of the channel for access to the pier facility. Councillor Daniel Sexton and myself attended a public meeting last Monday night, and I heard the same as I have heard year in and year out. The council is blaming the Department as its seeks clarity, and the Department is blaming the council. Those who attended were rightly furious. I promised the people present that I would raise this issue with the Tánaiste. Will he speak with the relevant Minister to meet immediately with council officials to cut out the confusion to pave the way for funds to be delivered on these hugely important Keelbeg pier works in Union Hall?

I thank the Deputy, and I hear his frustration on behalf of his constituents. My understanding is that in April 2024 a delegation of Cork County Council officials and representatives from the Union Hall Save Our Pier committee had a meeting with the then Minister and the assistant secretary general for the seafood and marine division in the Department headquarters in Agriculture House. At the meeting the council outlined that the development plan for Keelbeg pier consisted of three phases - the refurbishment of the old pier, the extension of the new pier and the dredging of Glengarriff Harbour. My understanding is that the council was reminded of its own responsibilities to step projects forward to make them ready for delivery and that any costs associated with studies, design and consenting must be borne by the council. My understanding is the council was advised to apply to the Department once the relevant consents were in place and I will seek a further update on that. I will send the Deputy a note on the next steps. There is quite a bit of detail, but I am happy to engage with the Deputy directly on this to see if we can make progress.