Call made for investment in Dunmore Harbour in County Waterford
Dunmore East fishing village on South East coast of Ireland
Sinn Féin's, Deputy David Cullinane has called for significant investment in Dunmore Harbour to unlock its potential for offshore renewable energy, fishing, leisure activities, and the cruise ship sector.
Last week, Deputy Cullinane met with the House of Waterford Crystal, along with Councillors Pat Fitzgerald and Jim Griffin, to discuss the future potential of the harbour.
On Friday, August 14, he met with the ESB and other stakeholders as part of his ongoing engagement on the development of Dunmore Harbour and the opportunities that exist for Waterford.
Speaking in the wake of the meeting, Deputy Cullinane said the harbour in Dunmore offered enormous potential.
"It is strategically located and can play an important role in offshore renewable energy, while at the same time supporting and developing our fishing industry, leisure and marine activities, and creating further opportunities for cruise ships," he said.
Commenting that the cruise ship sector brings a huge amount of investment and economic activity into Waterford, he said it supports the local tourism industry, local museums, hospitality businesses and other visitor attractions.
“The additional footfall that comes from cruise ships is hugely valuable, not just to Waterford City but right across the region," he said.
"Visitors travel to attractions throughout Waterford and the South East, generating significant revenue for local businesses and the wider tourism economy," he added.
“This is why developing Dunmore Harbour is about much more than any one sector."
He said there is an opportunity to support offshore renewable energy, strengthen fishing, expand leisure and marine activity and significantly grow the economic benefit potential of cruise tourism.
“Realising that potential will require very significant investment," he said.
"I have been raising the need to invest in and develop Dunmore Harbour for some time and I will continue to make the case at every opportunity," he added.
“We need to have ambition for Waterford. We need to think big and work together to get major projects like this delivered."
He said the overall potential of Dunmore Harbour for Waterford and the region could only be realised with necessary investment and planning.
