Concern over land bank of fishing ports

The State auditor has raised concerns about the management of a €259m land portfolio at the country’s key fishing ports.

A special report by the Comptroller and Auditor General, Seamus McCarthy, revealed there has been money lost and legal actions initiated because of the management of the land assets and services at the designated Fishery Harbour Centres.

The report looked at the ports in Killybegs, Castletownbere, Rossaveel, Dunmore East, Howth and Dingle. It pointed to a number of unsatisfactory deals including a €317,000 land sale that was agreed in 1993 and a 50% deposit paid but, 21 years later, the sale has not been closed.