Finance Minister committed to supporting Westport marina following meeting with stakeholders

MINISTER for Finance, Jack Chambers, is said to have committed to supporting a project that would represent a major upgrade to Westport’s marine infrastructure. 

Minister Chambers and his Fianna Fáil colleagues, Minister Dara Calleary and Senator Lisa Chambers, held a meeting with Westport Marina Group to discuss the creation of a marina at Westport Harbour. 

The long-mooted plan proposes to develop a marina and a lagoon that would allow potentially up to 180 boats to moor at the Quay area in Westport all year-round. 

Local representatives, community groups, and businesses have backed the plan, but it has yet to secure the necessary planning and funding. The proposed marina has been included in a master plan for the Roman Island area.

Senator Chambers has said the progression of the marina project ‘would be a significant addition to Mayo’s tourism offering while also providing the foundation for the creation of employment’. 

She said: “I was delighted to meet with the Westport Marina Group along with the Minister. We discussed the upcoming Budget and the funding needed to help get the marina project through planning and shovel ready.

“Mayo has a large coastline, with fantastic opportunities to develop marine infrastructure. The Westport marina project presents an amazing opportunity, not just for Westport, but for Mayo and the wider western region to develop marine tourism and create employment.

“I am glad to confirm that the Minister has committed to supporting the project as it progresses and will do everything he can to assist in its delivery.”

Senator Chambers also called for the creation of a dedicated source of funding for marine infrastructure similar to existing funding pathways for urban regeneration. 

The Fianna Fáil politician said that the progression of the Westport marina ‘has highlighted wider problems with large marine infrastructure projects’.

“Having this dedicated funding would assist us in developing our marine infrastructure right along our coastline and take advantage of the opportunities available to us,” she added.