Posted online: Mar 2nd, 2010

Work on the vital new breakwater at Greencastle Harbour as part of a Ä36 million project could now be back on track, the “Inish Times” can reveal.

Last month, it emerged that the project could be halted with the Department of the Environment highlighting the fact that it was owed money by Donegal Co. Council regarding works already carried out.

However, following intensive negotiations between council officials and the Department, the matter could now be resolved.

Councillors have now backed a call from Co. Manager, Mr. Michael McLoone, to ensure that the council coughs-up its agreed share towards the total cost of the project.

The Council currently owes Ä900,000 to the Department, and has signed up to providing 12.5% (or around Ä4 million) of the total cost.

Speaking at a meeting of Donegal Co. Council in Lifford yesterday, Manager, Michael McLoone, revealed proposals have been made to the Department to pay off the outstanding amount, and the Council now intended to raise a loan towards the cost of meeting its share of the entire works.

Welcoming this breakthrough, Cllr. Martin Farren backed the request from Mr. McLoone to raise the money through a loan.

The Council will now seek Departmental approval to raise the loan.

Deputy Mayor Cllr Charlie McConalogue said that he was confident a formula had been achieved that would see the necessary funds secured over the next two to three years to ensure the breakwater can be completed.

 He said: “Following much negotiation and contact the Mayor, County Manager and myself and with the Minister for Marine Tony Killeen over recent days, I am confident that a proposal has been achieved that will see the way cleared for funds to be made available to finish the breakwater.  A proposal was put to a meeting of the County Council today setting out a mechanism by which Donegal County Council can pay their liability to the Department of Ä1.36m thereby clearing the way for the Department to follow through with the funding required to complete the project.” 

Cllr. McConalogue said the proposal would have to involve a substantial upfront payment of up to 45% of the council’s liabilities to the Department of Marine followed by a payment plan for the remainder to be paid in instalments over the following 18 months. 

He added: “The issue of the outstanding County Council debt has been raised repeatedly by the Minister for Marine Tony Killeen as an obstacle to the Department proceeding with funding the completion of the breakwater.  I feel that this agreement, if implemented by the County Council, will remove that obstacle and am very confident from contacts with the Minister for the Marine that it will lead to Greencastle being prioritised in next year’s Marine Capital Budget and necessary funds allocated to help bring the project towards completion.”

 Under the payment plan, the Council would be seeking for the council’s upfront payment to the Department to be allocated to the breakwater project this year to ensure work can continue on the project. 

Cllr. McConalogue concluded: “This is a very important project for Greencastle and indeed Inishowen and we all must do what we can to ensure it its completed.  I am more than happy to have been able to work in my capacity as Deputy Mayor to help ensure that the project is moved on and will do everything I can now to see it through to completion.”