asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether he is aware that 80 per cent. of the expenditure of the Cork Harbour Board is laid out on the upper reaches of the harbour from Blackrock bend up and if he will take steps to have a lower rate of harbour dues charged on ships discharging cargoes in Cobh.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Cobh Harbour Dues.
I am informed by the Cork Harbour Commissioners that they have been advised that they could not legally charge a lower rate of harbour dues on ships discharging cargoes in Cobh, even if that course were considered to be justifiable.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that in this case the harbour dues charged are largely caused by the necessity of dredging the stream up to Cork in order to provide facilities for merchants in Cork City, and that this is preventing the development of the harbour as such?
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether he is aware that the harbour dues charged in the Port of Cork are militating seriously against the starting of industries in Cork area; and, if so, what steps he intends taking to having this obstacle to industrial revival removed.
The only source of revenue available to the Cork Harbour Authority for the maintenance and operation of the harbour is derived from the tonnage rates on vessels using the harbour and the goods rates on cargoes loaded and discharged. The rates must be kept at a level which will ensure sufficient revenue to enable the harbour to be adequately maintained and efficiently operated. No case has been brought to my attention in which the level of the harbour rates has proved to be an obstacle to the industrial development of the area.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that in one industry alone which it was proposed to start in Cobh, the quantity of material coming in would be, roughly, about 150,000 tons? Taking it on the 100,000-ton basis, the dues to be paid to the Cork Harbour Commissioners would be £13,750 a year. If the same industry came into Dublin the dues would be only £6,666 a year. That means that there is a penal tariff against starting an industry in Cork, or a penal tariff in favour of Dublin, of over £7,000 a year. Is the Parliamentary Secretary prepared to have any steps taken in connection with the removal of that tariff in order to have industries started in Cork?
Why not take that matter up with the Harbour Commissioners?
No representations have been made that the rates are operating to the detriment of the establishment of any industry.
In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the Parliamentary Secretary's reply, I wish to give notice that I shall raise the subject-matter of questions 87, 88 and 89 on the Adjournment this afternoon.