A €3 million investment by the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, was announced last wek by Minister Eamon O Cuív.

The investment will go towards the provision of pontoons at the Fishery Harbour Centre in Ros an Mhíl.

The project, which will provide modern dedicated ferry berths that enable the separation of fishing and ferry activities, is the second phase of the proposed three-phase development plan. Phase one, which was completed in 2005, provided dredged pockets for the ferry berthing pontoons and for a small boat harbour. The final cost of phase one was €5.96 million, with €2.98 million contributed by the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs.

The second phase will free up the existing ferry berths, thereby reducing congestion and enabling the provision of a dedicated berth for the Aran Islands cargo service boat.

Minister Ó Cuív said, "Ros an Mhíl harbour is the main gateway to the Aran Islands and is a key element in developing both industry and tourism in the area. I am delighted to support this project which will give a boost to the commercial viability of the harbour, provide state of the art passenger ferry facilities for the Aran Island communities, reduce congestion in a busy harbour and make the harbour safer for all its users."

This funding has been provided in association with the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food as part of their Fishery Harbour and Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme 2008. Under this Programme the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food generally provides 100% funding for infrastructural projects at the six Fishery Harbour Centres. However, in view of the importance of Ros an Mhíl harbour to Gaeltacht and Islands development, the Department of Community Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs has agreed to co-fund the project. The total cost of the current project is €9.11 million, with the Department of Community Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs contributing €2 million in 2008 and a further €1 million in 2009. The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food will be funding the remainder of the costs.

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