Today, I respectfully call for a new vision for Kenmare Harbour. What we needs is a practical, modest development, including a new pier, a safe slipway, a few berths for boats, proper facilities for the rowing club, a carpark for campervans and toilet and showering facilities to cater for tourists. This would create local jobs, support tourism by keeping people coming to the town all year round and boost the economy for the whole area, including shops, cafés, bed and breakfasts, small businesses and hotels. Most of all, it would give the people of Kenmare something they could be proud of and something they could use and enjoy. If we can fund marine infrastructure in other coastal towns, then we can and must do the same for Kenmare. The people there are every bit as entitled to support and investment as anyone else. I will continue to fight tooth and nail to see this project move forward. This is not about vanity or prestige; it is about fairness, common sense and doing right by a town that has been far too patient for far too long. I am asking this Government to put this in the national development plan and to provide funding.

Kenmare's existing pier is situated on the picturesque Kenmare River. It is primarily now only used for small-scale fishing and limited tools and activities. The pier faces several challenges, including insufficient capacity, limited water depth - the bay needs to be dredged - and the lack of modern facilities.

These limitations restrict its use for larger vessels and hamper the growth of marine-based recreation and tourism. Kenmare has lagged behind towns like Bantry, Castletownbere and Dingle and all the harbour towns around it. Kenmare has stood still. I ask for fairness in this regard.

This is a tourism-driven opportunity. Kenmare is already a well-established tourist destination renowned for its scenic beauty, outdoor activities, vibrant arts and food culture. Its location on the Ring of Kerry and proximity to the Wild Atlantic Way make it a natural stop for visitors exploring the region. Enhancing the harbour with new piers, a small marina and supporting infrastructure could significantly strengthen Kenmare's tourism appeal. Parking for camper vans is most important because the area is very restricted as it is. In general, car parking is very tight there. Making improvements in Kenmare would increase a growing segment of the travel market that is dedicated to tourism.

I thank the Deputy very much for raising this issue. I always marvel at the scenic beauty of County Kerry. I was down there on Monday at Fossa-----

At the football.

No, at the economic summit. I had a very good few days in Kenmare early last summer when I was preparing for the general election. It sorted me out fairly well. Of course, we are all inspired by that beautiful ballad, "As I Leave Behind Néidín". It was written by a Corkman, Jimmy McCarthy, and made famous by Mary Black.

The Deputy is right to highlight the strengths and assets of Kenmare. He has been very clear about the need for funding for Kenmare pier. Local authorities have primary responsibility for the maintenance and development of the piers, harbours and slipways they own. As the Deputy knows, as part of the annual fishery harbour centre and coastal infrastructure development programme, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine provides funding to assist coastal local authorities in carrying out small-scale projects for the development and repair of piers, harbours and slipways in their ownership.

In March this year, the Minister of State with responsibility for fisheries and the marine, Deputy Dooley, and the Minister, Deputy Heydon, announced approximately €4.3 million in funding for the 2025 local authority marine infrastructure scheme. The closing date for submissions was 4 April. The Department understands that Kerry County Council - this is my understanding anyway - did not submit an application for funding for Kenmare pier to be considered in this year's scheme. On 21 May, the Minister of State announced the allocation of funding of €4.33 million for 57 local authority projects across 11 coastal local authorities. All five Kerry County Council projects submitted under the scheme were approved. Nearly €94,000 was allocated for Kenmare Bay to upgrade eight navigation aids and six mooring anchoring points for visiting boats. In addition, nearly €85,000 was allocated for the installation of a pier-lifting crane to help load and unload equipment and catches at Kilmakilloge. If a pier is a protected structure, the Department of housing's built heritage investment scheme and historic structures fund can provide support for the repair and conservation of historic elements.

These schemes are closed for 2025. I will talk to the Minister to see if anything additional can be done or if we can ensure that, in the context of future applications and working with Kerry County Council, we can get the work done. There is a strong rowing club in Kenmare. I am very familiar with that. It is a major tourist town and people love it. I appreciate the Deputy raising the issue.

I thank the Taoiseach for his reply. I remind him and the Ministers that small piers locally, including in Kilmakilloge, Coornagillagh and Blackwater, have been crying out for maintenance funding for safety projects and other things for the past several years.

Returning to Kenmare, the local authority must work in conjunction with the Department of the marine and the OPW. The local authority has acquired a lot of the land at the back of the pier. This needs to be explored. We all need to work together. I am disappointed Kerry County Council did not put in application for this year. One would have thought it would have done so. I am asking that we progress this matter. To be fair to Kenmare town, it has wonderful hostelries-----

I thank the Deputy.

----- that provide excellent food and all that goes with it. People are treated very well in those places.

I thank the Deputy. I call the Taoiseach.

Indeed, they catered for the more than 4,000 cyclists who used the Beara cycleway last Saturday.

Please, Deputy. I ask the Taoiseach to stand up. I thank the Deputy.

They were well able to do so.

Deputy, the time is up.

Kenmare needs a bit more for the off-times.

I ask the Deputy to resume his seat and the Taoiseach to answer the question. We are way over time.

I thank the Ceann Comhairle very much. I am sorry for going over time.

I will certainly talk to the Minister of State with responsibility for the marine and Kerry County Council to see what we can do in order to put something together. The funding might have to come next year, I do not know. It would be good even if the planning was done and there was an assessment of what is required.

The Deputy is correct that Kenmare is a beautiful town. I like the way he referred to the great food and everything else that goes with it. I can confirm that. There is no question about it. Across the country and in Kerry, we are investing in local infrastructure in order to improve tourism offerings. The Deputy mentioned 4,000 cyclists on the Beara cycleway.

Yes. Last weekend.

That is an extraordinary number of people, and it is a wonderful project. We will work with the Deputy on that.

I promise here myself-----

No, Deputy, resume your seat.

-----that if the Taoiseach comes down to open it, I will-----

Deputy Healy-Rae-----

-----put the plaque on the wall-----

Deputy, please.

-----on the pier myself.

That is all right. Deputy, you do what you like.

I thank the Deputy.