Fine Gael TD for Cork South West, Noel Harrington, has welcomed the announcement by the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Simon Coveney TD, of remediation and harbour improvement works at North Harbour, Cape Clear, which will see an investment of €4m being made.

Deputy Harrington said this demonstrates the Government's commitment to coastal communities and to ensuring that our marine infrastructure is maintained and kept up to standard.

"The signing of this contract is great news for the inhabitants of Cape Clear, as the deterioration of the 'Bull Nose' pier at Trá Ciarán has been of grave concern for some time now. The pier acts as a breakwater for the rest of the harbour and has been deemed to be unsafe since as far back as the late 1990s. Deep cracks have been identified in the concrete capping on the original pier for years and as a result berthing at the pier has been prohibited for some time.

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"I wish to thank Minister Coveney for his speedy response to this plea, first raised by me in the Dáil two years ago. This shows that this Government supports island communities and as there are seven inhabited islands in West Cork issues such as this remain dear to us.

"These works will repair and upgrade the facility, which was in imminent danger of collapse and will provide the much needed protection to the rest of the harbour from the sea.

"It will also provide much needed employment during and after the construction phase, enhance the development of the island's economic potential and offer a better and safer quality of life on the island."

(CD/JP)