Funding announced for Inishowen piers

Funding has been announced for works at Bunagee and Glengad piers.

The funding was announced by Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Michael Creed TD.

€37,500 has been allocated for Glengad slipway to provide new reinforced concrete decking at top of the slipway.

€30,000 has been allocated for works at Bunagee, for the construction of a wall to the newly-extended pier.

Fine Gael Minister of State Joe McHugh said he had received confirmation that the works will be complete in both areas by the end of this year.

Minister McHugh said that there had already been substantial investment at Bunagee Pier and the new allocation will ensure the beginning of what it an “important marine facility.” He added the works at the pier were “testament to great energy at local level.”

Minister McHugh added how, “like any project, it requires leadership” and credited his party colleague Bernard McGuinness with providing this and working alongside “many stakeholders in marine leisure and with local fishermen.” He added that Glengad pier is an important port for crab and lobster fishing.

He said: “The fishing sector always generates a lot of debate and there are still outstanding challenges, but it’s important that crab and lobster fishermen are able to work there safely.”

Colr Bernard McGuinness said he was “absolutely delighted” to hear of the allocation and said the works at Portaleen Pier in Glengad were “absolutely necessary,”

He said: “Both of these piers are an extremely important part of the whole infrastructure of Inishowen. There is quite a bit of inshore fishing and a number of people employed, so this is very important to them.

“Also, all of this is part and parcel of marine tourism, which is important to Inishowen and is a big help to that. It is also a huge aspect of the Wild Atlantic Way.”

Colr McGuinness added that the pontoon at Bunagee pier is to be replaced as part of initial funding. Minister Michael Creed recently announced €12 million funding under the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) Operational Programme to seven Fisheries Local Action Groups (FLAGs) including Donegal’s groups.