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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 26 Mar 1952

Vol. 130 No. 4

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Cork Harbour Board.

asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state the harbour dues charged per ton on imports of timber, coal, rubber, wheat and barley, by the Cork Harbour Board.

The statutory maximum rates chargeable on the commodities listed by the Deputy are set out in a statistical statement which, with the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to circulate with the Official Report.

Under Section 101 of the Harbours Act, 1946, a harbour authority may vary the rates charged within the statutory maxima. For information regarding the actual rates charged application should be made direct to the Cork Harbour Board.

MAXIMUM STATUTORY RATE CHARGEABLE ON THE COMMODITIES LISTED IMPORTED AT CORK HARBOUR.

Commodity

Unit of Quantity

Rate

s.

d.

BARLEY

per ton

2

COAL

,, ,,

10.125

RUBBER:

India Rubber

,, ,,

15

0

,, ,, Goods

15

0

Raw Rubber

5

TIMBER:

Bark

,, ,,

1

10½

Beaver Board

,, ,,

4

Cork wood

,, ,,

4

Dyewood

,, ,,

2

Hoopwood

,, ,,

2

Joinery

,, ,,

5

Staves

,, ,,

1

10½

Planed or prepared

per load 50 cu. feet

1

10½

Deals, boards, battens, etc.

per load 50 cu. feet

1

Except otherwise provided

per ton

2

WHEAT

,, ,,

2

asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state the name of the representative of agricultural interests on the Cork Harbour Board and if, in view of the unfair harbour dues charged by the Cork Harbour Board on artificial fertilisers in comparison with those charged on other commodities imported, the interests of which are directly represented on the board, he will either make representations to the harbour board to reduce the dues charged on this essential agricultural commodity or appoint a second representative of agricultural interests on the board.

The Cork Harbour Board is constituted in accordance with the provisions of the Harbours Act, 1946. The Act does not provide specifically for the representation of the interests to which the Deputy refers, and the basis of representation is designed to secure efficient harbour administration as well as the provision of adequate portal facilities for all classes of traffic and for all users of the port.

The maximum rates for fertilisers at Cork were fixed by Order in 1941. The harbour commissioners have discretion to charge rates lower than those prescribed in the Order. It is open to agricultural interests to approach the harbour board for a reduction in the rates levied on fertilisers if it can be shown that the rates charged are in fact excessive.

Is the Minister aware that the rate charged by the Cork Harbour Board on fertilisers is from 1/- to 1/6 per ton higher than that charged by any other port authority in the country? Is the Minister further aware that a non-existent body known as the Cork Incorporated Chamber of Commerce has two representatives on that board and would the Minister not consider giving that representation to the agricultural interests?

I have no information as to the rates charged at any harbour. I fix the maximum rates but the harbour authority is entitled to charge below these rates, if they wish.

There are two representatives on that board from a non-existent body, the Cork Incorporated Chamber of Commerce, and is the Minister aware that the reason for the high charge on fertilisers is that each commodity has its own representative on the board?

That is a separate question.

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