A €13million contract has been signed for the final phase of an overall €33m, 216m long quay development project and associated works on Dinish Island, Castletownbere.

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Minister Charlie McConalogue TD, welcomed the signing of the completion works contract with contractor Sorensen Civil Engineering Ltd.

He said: "I am delighted to have been able to fund the final phase of this project. It will double workable quay space on Dinish Island and facilitate increased fish landings and associated onshore processing, in addition to increased commercial cargo and general marine activity at this major port."

While doubling the workable quay space on Dinish Island is a critical aspect of the project, this final phase will also deliver approximately 2.2 acres of highly usable reclaimed quay storage area, two new major breakwaters at the entrance to the harbour, the dredging of the navigation channel and the area in front of the syncrolift making the boatyard more accessible for larger vessels. An inner basin is also being created which will provide an ideal future development area for a small craft harbour to the benefit of small fishing vessels and leisure craft.

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"This a very significant investment by my Department in current and future generations in the South West and will be a big boost to the Beara Peninsula and West Cork in general. In approving finalisation of this development, I have taken account of the unprecedented success of the previous development in increasing fish landings to Castletownbere. That success has resulted in the need for a further major expansion to future proof the harbour and provide a platform for the future success of Castletownbere."

The final phase of the development will enable Castletownbere to continue and develop its role as the premier whitefish port in the country as well as facilitating scope for possible future expansions into other commercial activities compatible with the marine sector. Most importantly, the pier extension will allow faster turn-around times for fishing vessels alleviating existing vessel and traffic congestion.

The project has been proposed for part funding under Ireland’s European Maritime and Fisheries Fund Operational Programme, and co-funded the Government of Ireland and the European Union.