Originally called Ballaghaline Fishing Station, Doolin Pier is the main access point from County Clare to the Aran Islands. It is used by fishermen from the Doolin area as well as the Aran Islands due to its close proximity to the local fish processing plant while a thriving ferry service also operates from here.

Minister Killeen, however, has expressed fears that the transhipment of passengers to the ferries could at any time be ended due to safety concerns. In a letter to Mr. John O’Donoghue, T.D. Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism, Minister Killeen stated that any removal of the ferry service from Doolin pier would be ‘a very serious blow to tourism in North Clare and on the Islands’.In response, Minister O’Donoghue confirmed he would immediately enquire into the future allocation of funding for safety works at the pier.

Meanwhile, Minister Killeen has written to the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources in a bid to secure grant aid for Doolin Pier. Commenting on the urgent need to undertake dredging works in the harbour, Minister Killeen said, ‘Ferry operators, fishermen and the local search and rescue unit are finding it increasingly difficult to launch their boats at low water levels. The practice of landing fish at the Pier is also becoming more restricted due to absence of any significant development works on the pier structure.

In response to the Clare T.D.’s representations, Mr. John Browne T.D., Minister of State at the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural  said, ‘The Department will shortly be drawing up a programme of works for consideration under the 2007 Fishery Harbours Programme.The question of providing funding for Doolin Pier will be considered under that Programme in the context of the amount of Exchequer funding available for works at fishery harbours and overall national priorities.

MJ Information No: 22507