EPA - Ireland's Environment, An Integrated Assessment - 2020

Ireland’s Environment – An Integrated Assessment 2020 Dredging and Dumping at Sea Material that is dredged at sea must be disposed of under permit in authorised locations. The removal of seabed material for maintenance and navigational purposes is a common occurrence in harbours around Ireland. The disposal at sea of this dredged material can occur only under a Dumping at Sea permit authorised by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Permit returns show that, in 2018, over 2.8 million tonnes of material were dredged and deposited at 12 licensed disposal sites around the Irish coast (Figure 8.4). Traditional technologies such as trailing suction hopper dredging and plough dredging account for most dredging operations in Ireland. Water injection dredging, an alternative technology, has been partially utilised in Cork Harbour and the Malahide Marina. Several nationally significant infrastructure expansion projects are under way in the marine sector that involve the dredging of uncontaminated sediments from ports and their disposal at sea in authorised locations. n In Dublin Port, preparatory works for the redevelopment of the Alexandra Basin are under way. This involves deepening of the navigation channel and the construction of new berths and ancillary facilities to accommodate larger ships. This €230 million redevelopment project will be the largest strategic infrastructure project in the port’s history. n In Cork, relocation of the Port of Cork has commenced at a cost of €100 million. This will transpose the port 10 kilometres from the city centre to the Ringaskiddy Terminal, which has adequate water depths, channel width and space to accommodate larger vessels. n Development works are also proposed for Shannon Foynes Port as part of a €64 million development plan. The Shannon Foynes Port Company intends to convert over 33 hectares east of its existing port into a site for marine-related industry, as well as implement changes to its existing jetties and quays. This work will be the biggest infrastructure development programme ever undertaken by the company. n In County Donegal, construction work on Killybegs Fishery Harbour Centre costing €6.5 million is also scheduled to commence. This will provide an additional 120 metres of berthing space by extending the quay wall and deepening the berthing pocket. 204