Communications budget to rise 8% to €547m

SPENDING on ports, marine safety and the coast guard will increase by over €40 million next year.

The Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources will get an overall rise in its budget of 8% to €547m.

But responsibility for marine policy will be moved to the Department of Transport in 2006 as part of the Government’s Transport 21 plan.

Communications and Marine Minister Noel Dempsey said it was appropriate that management of ports, shipping, maritime safety and the Irish Coast Guard move to provide an integrated transport service. Around 60% of the Department of the Marine will come under the auspices of the Department of Transport.

“Both myself and Martin Cullen are in full agreement that this move is in the best interests of integrated policy delivery, the users of ports and shipping services and sectors themselves,” Mr Dempsey said.

Around €45m will be set aside for the decommissioning of fishing vessels over the next four years. The department said this will see around 25% of older vessels removed from the fleet.

The department has committed €21m to upgrade harbour infrastructure around the country.

Over €40m will be spent next year on marine safety, including a 3% rise in the budget of the Irish Coast Guard to €32m. Just over €8m will be spent on maritime safety and regulation, 42% more than in 2005.

Some €36m will be spent on the provision of broadband internet connections to 350,000 people. Mr Dempsey said the plan to provide broadband to all towns with a population over 1,500 by 2007 was vital for the economy.

Sustainable Energy Ireland will get an extra 7% to promote renewable energy sources, bringing its budget to €17 million. However, Labour’s Tommy Broughan said more funding was necessary in this area if the country is to reduce its reliance on fossil fuels.

Beleaguered An Post gets a 2% increase in the amount it receives to collect the RTÉ licence fee.

The Broadcasting Commission of Ireland’s grant goes up 2% to €6.3m.

There was also good news for TG4 - its grant for 2006 has been increased by 3% to €25.5m.