Meanwhile at sea, the draft Galway County Development Plan for the period 2009-2015 will contain a policy statement that Rosaveal should be recognised as the main harbour in the west of Ireland. That policy statement was put in at the insistence of Councillor Seosamh Ó Cuaig. Now, any statement like that in a county plan does not put money on the table. However it would be significant in the backdrop to efforts to further develop Rosaveal. For, like Galway Airport, you could raise awkward questions about Rosaveal such as: why would millions be spent on the harbour when the fishing industry is in such serious decline?

People such as Cathal Groineil from the Rosaveal Harbour support committee will tell you that there would be many more landings at Rosaveal now if the deepwater berth was developed. The reason? Fishing boats from various countries fishing west of Ireland would find it cheaper to come to Rosaveal now because of the high cost of diesel. But on a broader scale, those championing Rosaveal will say that its not just fishing. People like Frank Fahey, TD, say that Rosaveal looks like the logical destination for freight in the long term, but the new road to Connemara would have to be developed. The money is now allocated - approximately €8 million - for the three new pontoons for the passenger boats to the Aran Islands. The deepwater berth is the third part of the plan. The harbour would need to be dug to a depth of 12 metres for a span of 200 metres out into the bay. The cost is put at €20 million. Those who favour it say you will not get a better place or a cheaper job due to the geography. That depth could take large fishing boats and large freight boats. It appears an oil terminal could be built there too. A team of Government officials are looking at it. Is it up in the air also, or could Rosaveal be turned into a major sea hub on the west coast?