Dredging and removing silt from the harbour in Dunmore East - near Waterford - will cost €6 million.

The engineering consultants engaged to investigate how the work can be carried out have revealed the likely bill for the engineering project.

Deputy Brian O'Shea has been informed by Brendan Smith, the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, that various options for the dredging of Dunmore East Harbour have been examined and in general the costs will be in the order of €6m.

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The study was undertaken by Engineering Consultants RPS on the proposed methods and related dredging costs for Dunmore East harbour. The main findings were that 80% of the harbour sediment contains Tributyltin (TBT).

The cost associated with the disposal of dredge spoil containing TBT is significantly higher than for uncontaminated material.

Various options for dredging the harbour were examined, with a detailed hydrographic study undertaken in the harbour recently. This is currently being examined by the Department's engineers, however, it is not expected to alter the overall cost significantly.

Deputy O'Shea said the dredging and disposal of the dredge is long overdue and he renewed his call on the Minister to provide the funding for the work.

(BMcC/KMcA)