[Sinn Fein]

19 May 1997

Doherty calls for upgrading of piers on visit to Inishowen

Speaking on a visit to Inishowen this evening, Sinn Fein Vice President Pat Doherty called for much needed investment to upgrade piers in the Donegal North East constituency, particularly at Carrickarory, Moville and Buncrana.

Mr. Doherty said:

``Donegal is an area well situated in the EU to have a vibrant fishing industry. However its potential has never been properly developed due to a lack of commitment from successive governments to support the industry and to develop the much needed infrastructure.

``The history of Irish fisheries is not a story of success. It is rather a story of a struggle for survival against political ineptness and indifference and international exploitation of Irish coastal communities and the resources they depend upon. Ireland possesses 16% of EU fishing waters yet has just .3% of the EU tonnage and 2.5% of the EU fleet.

``For many years now Sinn Fein in Donegal have campaigned for much needed resources to upgrade several piers in the constituency particularly those at Carrickarory, Moville and Buncrana.

``We have also called for funding to upgrade the crane at Mallinhead pier in order to bring it back to full lifting capacity. Although repairs have been carried out on the crane it is still unable to lift the weights necessary to take many boats out of the water.

``In relation to Leenan pier we have called for the promised slipway to be built. While the foundation for the slipway was laid when the pier was extended the slipway itself was never built and is badly needed.

``The sea is the county's single richest natural resource and our industry must be developed to its full potential. Sinn Fein believe that there needs to be a massive injection of funds both to modernise the Irish fishing fleet and to upgrade piers throughout the constituency.''

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