Kilmore Quay expansion plan is frozen out
KILMORE Quay’s development is being held back due to unfair funding mechanisms, according to Cllr Jim Moore.
In a motion Cllr Moore called on the local authority to urge the Minister for Agricultire, Food and Marine as a matter of urgency to ensure local autority managed fishery harbours are treated similar to state managed fishery harbours in respect of consultancy costs and capital expenditure projects where the local authjority fishery harbour economically outperforms any of the present six state managed harbours.
He said the established economic performance indicator includes either performance by fish landings in tonnes or in euro value.
‘A level playing field for access to funding is needed. None of the state run fisheries are in County Wexford and Wexford County Council get no benefits from the Department of the Marine or Capital Project funding. Wexford County Council is being asked to pay for projects themselves.’
Cllr Moore said Castletownbere was funded to the tune of €24m but for Wexford to get similar funding Wexford County Council would have to pay 25 per cent of the cost.
‘Kilmore Quay factories are a very important driver of employment and exports and the tonnage or value of fish products at Kilmore Quay means we finish third or fourth in the country but when we go to develop industry and create jobs we have to fund everything.’
He said the village is asking for proper funding for consultancy fees and any future developments.
Cllr Kathleen Codd Nolan seconeded the motion which was unanimosuly supported.