Concern Stormont stalemate will hit Ardglass development

Concern Stormont stalemate will hit Ardglass development

25 May 2022

A WARNING has been issued that an ambitious development programme designed to boost the Co Down fishing and seafood industry must not become a victim of the political stalemate at Stormont.

The warning has been issued by South Down MLA Colin McGrath and Downpatrick area councillor  Dermot Curran who are keen to see the multi-million pound programme implemented.

Outlining a timeline for work that carried out at Ardglass and the other Co Down ports of Kilkeel and Portavogie, the report highlights the importance of the Ardglass fishing industry to the district and wider South Down economy.

In addition, the report outlines planned improvement work at the harbour, including deepening it to facilitate larger herring and mackerel vessels, with Mr McGrath and Cllr Curran keen to see the additional investment provided.

Ardglass harbour is widely regarded as “strategically important” for the Co Down fleet, with the village a recognised hub for processing fish landed in Ardglass, with the planned investment a critical component of the harbour’s expansion plan.

It was revealed last year that ambitious plans to redevelop Ardglass harbour could cost in the region of £45m.

Mr McGrath and Cllr Curran said progress on the future of the Co Down fishing and seafood industry was made during the last Stormont term, insisting that they want to see this continue.

The MLA revealed that while he raised the issue with fisheries minister Edwin Poots during the last mandate, he is now being prevented from doing this because of the current political stalemate.

Mr McGrath continued: “Based on previous interactions, I believe Mr Poots genuinely recognises the value of the fisheries and seafood programme which has the capacity to be a real game changer, but he also seems content to tow the DUP line and use the Northern Ireland Protocol as political cover. 

“As a result, it is our fishermen who are suffering and this is intolerable.”

The MLA confirmed that he and Cllr Curran will be writing to Mr Poots and plan to meet with local

fishermen and businesses to “get a clear picture of the benefits which this programme will bring to the ports of Ardglass, Kilkeel, Portavogie and the wider economy”.

Cllr Curran said the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs has approved the fisheries and seafood programme’s strategic outline case which allows it to procure consultants to take forward detailed environmental and technical studies. 

He added: “Colin and I will now be contacting the fisheries minister’s office to ensure that these essential next steps are being taken without delay. 

“We have come through an intense election period and in the absence of an Executive those caretaker ministers must be working to deliver while they can.”