Sinn Féin TD for Waterford Conor McGuinness and Sinn Féin Councillor Kate O’Mahony have welcomed Waterford City and County Council’s approval today (Thursday) of €250,000 in capital funding to begin the preparatory work needed to progress long-awaited dredging works at Cé Heilbhic and other locations within Dungarvan Bay.

The funding will allow the Council to begin the surveys, studies, licensing and environmental assessments required before dredging can take place. This preparatory work will cover Cé Heilbhic and other priority locations, including Dungarvan Harbour and Ballinacourty.

Deputy McGuinness said the decision represents significant progress after years of campaigning, but stressed that the work must now continue to ensure the dredging itself is delivered.

“This is a very welcome and important step forward. For years, local fishermen, the RNLI and the wider coastal community have been calling for action while Government failed to provide the support needed to get this project moving.

“Over recent months I have worked with the Council and the Minister to identify a funding mechanism that would finally allow this process to begin. The approval of this capital funding means that work can now start on securing the necessary surveys, licences and environmental consents.

“But this is only the beginning. The Council and Government must now work together to keep this project moving. As Chair of the Oireachtas Committee on Fisheries and Maritime Affairs, and in the Dáil, I will continue pressing to ensure the Government honours its commitment to fund the dredging works once the preparatory stage has been completed.”

Cllr Kate O’Mahoney said the decision was the result of sustained work by local representatives and council officials determined to see progress made.

“This investment is a really positive development and one that local fishing families and coastal communities have waited far too long to see.

“Our Sinn Féin council team has consistently argued that the Council needed the resources to begin this process, and I’m pleased that this funding has now been approved. I also want to acknowledge the work of Council officials who have worked to identify a way forward.

“Now we need to maintain the momentum. We’ll continue working at Council level alongside Conor’s work in the Oireachtas to ensure the preparatory work is completed as quickly as possible and that Government follows through by funding the dredging works themselves.”

In closing, Deputy McGuinness, Chair of the Oireachtas Committee on Fisheries and Maritime Affairs, said:

“Our coastal communities deserve investment, safe harbour infrastructure and a Government that accepts responsibility for the harbours that support local jobs, safety at sea and the future of inshore fishing. Today’s decision is real progress, but there is more work to do, and Sinn Féin will continue pushing until these works are delivered.”