Discussions over future expansion plans for Inishowen’s most important fishing port

Discussions have taken place about the future expansion of Greencastle Pier, as well as over the pressing need to dredge the busy harbour.

Representatives of the Greencastle Harbour Users Group met with Donegal County Council Director of Services Bryan Cannon and Director of Economic Development Garry Martin in Lifford last month.

The meeting was to bring both sides up to date on issues within Greencastle Harbour since Phase One of the harbour development plan saw the completion of the southern breakwater.

Discussions centred on the financial climate facing Phase Two, including a second breakwater and associated harbour expansion, which would facilitate the landing of cruise ship passengers in Greencastle.

Whilst longer-term plans must be kept on the agenda, it was agreed that more attention should be paid to the day-to-day operation and running of the inner harbour, to keep the harbour operational and safe.

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Changes in legislation mean that it could take up to two years to acquire the necessary licences and leases to allow for the harbour to be dredged again.

Fishermen are concerned because the lack of frequent dredging has meant that much of the berthing space at the pier has been lost, as there is no longer enough water to float the fishing boats when they come in to land their catches.

This has had a knock-on effect in terms of marketing and freight of the fish, contributing to a loss of value to fishermen.

The Council has agreed that DCC staff will have to be more proactive in the day-to-day management and upkeep of the harbour to protect what little space there is, and to minimise additional downstream costs to the fishing industry, on which Greencastle so depends.

To facilitate this, it was agreed to re-establish the regular meetings between Council staff and the Greencastle Harbour Users Group. Regular meetings will be held every two months between harbour users and the harbourmaster and harbour engineer.

Meanwhile, meetings every six months will be held between the harbour users and the Council staff, at director of services level, with an invitation to approach the relevant director to expedite any issue that is lagging behind schedule.

Until such time as a full capital dredge can take place to restore berthing space, it will be incumbent upon harbour users and Council staff to cooperate with each other, in order to minimise the effect of the delay.