MEP Clune sees Castletownbere's €23.5m plans

ONCE the €23.5m expansion to Castletownbere’s quay is complete, it will be a  major boost to the fishing industry and local economy in West Cork.

That was the message delivered by Ireland South MEP Deirdre Clune on a recent visit to the port.

Contracts for the 216m-long quay development project and associated works on Dinish Island were signed recently and are funded by the European Union.

MEP Clune discussed the pier developments and the Port Reception Facilities Directive, a file she is dealing with at the European Parliament at the moment. It is aiming to deal with waste from boats ships and prevent dumping at sea. MEP Clune also spoke with the Castletownbere Development Association and they gave her a full briefing on the proposals for the area, including the traffic managementproposals under consideration which are hoping to alleviate traffic movements through the town.

MEP Clune said: ‘The work I am doing at the European Parliament at the moment is aiming to ensure there will be a harmonised approach across Europe, with adequate waste facilities, especially for such a busy port as Castletownbere.’

MEP Clune met with the Castletownbere Development Association, the Harbourmaster, the Irish South and West Fishermen Organisation and the Castletownbere Fisherman’s Co-op. 

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