Archive for April 2012
Minister Coveney Opens €39.5M Pier Development For Castletownbere & Supports Community Led Development Strategy
The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Simon Coveney TD officially opened the major new €39.5 million Dinish Wharf Development on Dinish Island at Castletownbere Fishery Harbour Centre and also launched the community led development strategy – ‘Castletownbere - An Economic Survey to Determine the Level of Seafood Activity and Establish its Economic Importance for the Region’ in Castletownbere today, the 30th April.Castletownbere Fishery Harbour Centre is one of Ireland’s major fishing ports and is Ireland’s largest whitefish port. Proximity to rich fishing grounds makes Castletownbere an attractive fish landing location for Irish and foreign vessels. The major pier development on Dinish Island which commenced in 2005 as part of a multi stage project now provides world class infrastructure to grow the marine industries in Castletownbere to new levels. The project is a major infrastructural development that included the dredging of the approach channel, inner harbour and berthing quay at Dinish Island, the construction of a 215m quay and associated infrastructure. The harbour can now accommodate more modern and larger vessels in our fleet and visiting fleets. The development will address congestion in the harbour and presents possibilities for other large fishing vessels to berth at Dinish Island increasing the supply of fish for processing or export and generating greater economic activity. In addition, cruise vessels, large commercial or exploration vessels will also now be able to land into and operate out of Castletownbere.
The report – ‘Castletownbere - An Economic Survey to Determine the Level of Seafood Activity and Establish its Economic Importance for the Region’ which was facilitated by BIM is the result of a collaborative action by local stakeholders.
COVENEY OUTLINES A CLEAR AND STRONG IRISH POSITION ON FISHERIES REFORM TALKS
Simon Coveney TD, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine today set down Ireland’s position on key elements of the Common Fisheries Reform (CFP) at today’s EU Fisheries Council. The Minister set out his strong opposition to the Commission’s proposals for the privatisation of national fish quotas through the introduction of individual transferable quotas. Working with five other Member States, the Minister also presented a model for the creation of more regional decision making under the CFP. The Fisheries Council is working to secure an agreed approach on the main contentious elements of the Reform package over a series of meetings that will form the basis of negotiations between the EU Fisheries Council, the EU Parliament and the EU Commission on CFP reform.
Investment Aid of €3.7 million for Horticulture
Minister of State for State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine today announced a grant aid package of €3.7 million for the development of Horticulture.
The package will provide grants to 152 commercial horticultural producers to assist them in funding capital investments in specialist new equipment and facilities. The grant aid covers all areas of the horticultural industry - including field vegetables, mushrooms, protected crops, nursery crops, soft fruits/apples, cut foliage, Christmas trees, bulbs and bee-keeping. It will assist in funding investments of approximately €9.3 million between now and the end of the year.
Apple’s Expansion Announcement will have benefits for West Cork – Harrington.
Fine Gael TD for Cork South West Noel Harrington, welcomed the announcement made this morning by Minister for Enterprise, Jobs and Innovation, Richard Bruton, that Apple’s operations in Cork city is to expand, with the creation of 500 new jobs over the next 18 months.
“I see this further investment in Cork by Apple, which will cater for its business in Europe, the Middle East, India and Africa, as solidifying its commitment to remaining in Ireland and a massive demonstration of confidence in the local workforce. This will offer a considerable boost to graduates and jobseekers currently struggling to find work locally. It is very positive news for West Cork also, in that hundreds of the current employees hail from this region and will no doubt be in the future also. It is much preferable to see this employment created in Cork, than for example in Canada, Australia or the Far East.