Sinn Féin Foyle MLA Raymond McCartney has written to the British Secretary of State Owen Paterson and the Port and Harbour Commission to ascertain ownership of the seabed of the River Foyle .
His call comes following continuing wrangling over ownership of the seabed of the River Foyle and the legal and financial implications that has for a large number of organisations
The Sinn Féin Foyle MLA Raymond McCartney said:
“ Clearly this is an issue that needs addressed. There is a lot of confusion over ownership of the seabed and the legal implications it has for government departments North and South ,local Councils, the Gardaí, PSNI, Fishermen and search and rescue organisations.
My party colleague Pádraig MacLochlainn TD has contacted Minister for Justice and Equality and the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine in the South, on the status of negotiations with the Crown Estate regarding ownership of the sea bed of the River Foyle.
I have subsequently written to the British Secretary State Owen Paterson and the Port and Harbour Commission to ascertain ownership of the seabed of the River Foyle. The Port and Harbour Commission is responsible for dredging the Foyle and I would like confirmation if a percentage of the material sold is paid to the Crown Estate.”
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Dredging Today Staff, March 12, 2012; Image: derrysinnfein