€300k for port dredging a ‘challenge’

Finding money to carry out necessary dredging at an essential port will be a "significant challenge" for Kerry County Council.

Fenit, near Tralee, is the main point of export for the Liebherr crane manufacturing plant in Killarney and dredging needs to be carried out every four years, according to the council. It will cost the council at least €300,000.

Raising the issue at a meeting of Tralee Municipal Authority, Cllr Toireasa Ferris (SF) said the port was the lifeblood of the local economy, especially for the fishing and marine leisure industries and companies such as Liebherr.

“There are implications for many different interests,” she said.

Senior executive engineer Eamon Scanlan said all material would be removed off-site.

The dredging would facilitate vessels used by Liebherr and a dumping-at-sea licence was currently being sought from the Environmental Protection Agency. A foreshore licence was also required from the Department of the Environment.

Mr Scanlan also told the meeting tenders would be sought from suitable contractors in the coming weeks.

“Securing funding for this operation will pose a significant challenge for Kerry County Council.”