Outlook positive for Doolin Pier development

The proposed new harbour development works comprise a new pier up to 60m in length, an access road of 115m, and sea dredging of the Doolin Harbour area, which will involve some 5,000 cu/m of dredged material.

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, and the Doolin ferry service also operates from there.

Lobbying for the project has been going on for years, but despite cut backs and the ‘difficult fiscal situation’ the funding has now been ring fenced, says a local source. The benefit of the project spans a couple of counties, as those who will be using the facility come from Galway as well as Clare.

Minister Tony Killeen, has apparently been putting pressure on the Minister for Finance, Brian Lenihan, to get things moving. Mr Killeen says that it was following ‘numerous consultations’ that there was agreement to provide a total of €6m to undertake the works. The funding will be administered through the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government.

Minister Killeen said, ‘I have made a significant number of representations at Government level on behalf of the local community in recent years and am now delighted that we are at the stage where real movement is being made in relation to these important development works. This is very much a step in the right direction and will be welcomed by users of the pier and harbour’.

Despite such encouragement, Kevin O’Brien of Doolin Ferries remains sceptical about the development and said, ‘Every year we have been promised a pier, but you never know, it might happen.’ He added that his company also looked at building a pier at Doolin, costing it out at some €12m, substantially more than the €6m put aside at present.

The services that the successful contract applicant will carry out include preparation of design and build tender documentation, management of the tender process, administration of the design and build contract, cost control including agreement of final account and provision of PSDP services to appointment of design and build contractor stage.