A meeting regarding the Port of Waterford's planning process took place on Wednedsay night in Passage East.
It was well attended by members of the marine sector in east Waterford, as the Port's planners outlined how ships would find it easier to travel into the Port if dredging took place.
Fianna Fáil councillor Eddie Mulligan said an overlap of State agencies was preventing the development of the Port of Waterford.
'We have port services responsible for the river ...we then have the Department of Agriculture responsible for the fishing port in Dunmore East and then the Council is responsible for the other ports in villages such as Cheekpoint, Passage and Tramore and our problem in the council is we don't have the professionalism, the expertise or the budget to dredge Cheekpoint... or Passage".
Green party Senator Grace O'Sullivan said there were great opportunities for the Port, but there needed to be increased engagement with Waterford Council.
The harbour constable in Cheekpoint, Sean Doherty said there was a potential for East Waterford's coastal communities to be developed through its estuary.
