2698. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine for an update on the proposed dredging of Howth Fishery Harbour Centre; whether the Environmental Protection Agency has completed its assessment of the waste licence application; what outstanding steps remain before works can begin; when he expects the project will go to tender; when dredging works are expected to commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60590/26]

I am pleased to confirm that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have completed their assessment of the waste licence application and granted the necessary permits. All the statutory approvals required for the works stage of the project are now in place. Currently, the conditions of the licence provided by the EPA are being incorporated into the tender documentation pack including the works requirements, drawings and final design.

To progress project timelines, Department Engineers have already commenced the public procurement process to appoint a contractor to complete the works element of the project. Following the initial phase of a two-stage procurement process, five suitably qualified and experienced contractors were selected in early July of this year, prior to the completion of the EPA permitting process.

Once the final tender documents and design package have been completed, these five contractors will then be invited to submit tenders for stage two. The Most Economically Advantageous Tender (MEAT) shall be the criterion applied to select the winning tender. It is expected to complete stage two of the procurement process during Q3 and Q4 of this year.

This project has experienced significant delays during the planning process. However, it has long being recognised as an important issue by my Department along with the wider community in Howth. On completion of the procurement process and when I am satisfied that a value for money proposal has been identified, I hope to be able to approve the appointment of the successful contractor to commence the works in Q1 of 2027. I am advised by Department Engineers that the works may take between two and three years to complete.