Cairns Announces Almost Ł15 Million For Warrenpoint Harbour

15 December 2006
CAIRNS ANNOUNCES ALMOST Ł15 MILLION FOR WARRENPOINT HARBOUR

Regional Development Minister, David Cairns today announced government support for essential developments at the port of Warrenpoint.
The Minister said: "The Port of Warrenpoint is located in an area which is severely disadvantaged both in economic and social terms. The Port acts as a key economic driver and is important to the longer term sustainability of the Newry and Mourne area.
"The shipping industry is changing. A major upgrade of the facilities at Warrenpoint is now critical to meet the demands of modern vessels and to secure the long term viability of the port and its contribution to the local economy.
"I am prepared to offer up to Ł14.7 million towards the necessary works on the understanding that the port is required to charge commercial rates for the services it provides and will contribute to the development as much as it can afford from its operations, which is estimated at Ł5 million.
"I am confident that the Port of Warrenpoint has the potential to continue to serve the local and wider community and that this will help support its development for many years to come."
The support is being provided for the port development as a whole rather than for specific activities. The grant aid is not a subsidy to shipping lines using the port. The ability of the Port to contribute to the works will be kept under review to ensure that its contribution is the maximum possible.
NOTES TO EDITORS:

Under the Harbours Act (Northern Ireland) 1970 the Department for Regional Development is able to offer assistance by way of grant for the improvement of a harbour.

The assistance to Warrenpoint Harbour is being provided through the establishment of a service of general economic interest, the terms of which are set out in a contract of entrustment between the Department and the Warrenpoint Harbour Authority. This document is publicly available on the Department's website at www.drdni.gov.uk. The contract of entrustment allows for the payment of support in return for an undertaking to provide the level of service set out.

Warrenpoint Harbour is a trust port, which is an autonomous statutory body largely independent of government, run for the benefit of all its stakeholders and any surpluses are required to be reinvested for the benefit of the port.

Media queries to: Department for Regional Development Press Office, Tel 028 9054 0007.

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