In the six weeks since it has opened, Waterford's city-centre marina has demonstrated the abundant market for such facilities. The facility, which can berth up to 40 boats near the city's business centre, has been full every day since it was inaugurated.
It has accommodated boats from the US, Britain, Poland and France, and now has 35 permanent or long-term berth-holders, with others on the waiting list.
Waterford Corporation, which undertook and operates the £200,000 project, counts it an outstanding success. The city's Mayor, Mr Tom Cunningham, remarked recently that there was already pressure either to extend it or to build a second marina.
Along with the 55-berth marina opened at Kilmore Quay, Co Wexford, earlier in the summer, the Waterford marina has provided a further stop-off point for yachts and cruisers sailing the south coast, often on their way to the longer-established cruising centres and marinas in Co Cork.
In the important fishing port of Dunmore East, however, the issue of a possible marina facility remains acrimonious and divisive.
The local business community is solidly in favour of a marina, and claims the village may be losing up to £500,000 a season from tourism; income which is now going instead to centres such as Kilmore Quay and Waterford.
Through the efforts of the local sailing club and Waterford County Council a grant of £660,000 has been promised, sufficient for 60 berths.
But there has been strong opposition from others, particularly the working fishermen. The main problem is the restricted space in the harbour and the potential for obstruction of the principal harbour users. There are also safety considerations.
Plans for a marina, a floating pontoon outside the harbour, have been put on display in the local fishermen's hall and its proponents argue the project would cause no interference. But difficulties persist concerning the impact of a marina, safe entry to the harbour and obstruction of traditional fishing rights.
The harbour, one of the most important fishing harbours in the country, has had no serious infrastructural investment since the early 1970s.
It is generally acknowledged that the prosperity of Dunmore East is due to a combination of its two industries, fishing and tourism, which have dovetailed neatly.
The year-round fishing industry and its working community constitute an important support to the hotels, pubs and restaurants in the village when the tourist season is over. Catering, in turn, employs more than 300 people at the height of the season and is a significant source of work.
In spite of the deadlock, the search continues for a way to reconcile conflicting views and interests and allow the Dunmore East area to tap into the economic potential offered by the expanding international leisure industry.