asked the Minister for Transport and Power whether any money accrues to the State by way of harbour dues or payments arising out of the use of Bantry Bay by a company (name supplied); and whether any consideration has been given by his Department to this matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Use of Bantry Bay.
17.
The company installations at Bantry Bay referred to by the Deputy do not fall within the limits of authority of any statutory harbour authority. Harbour dues are not, therefore, payable and this was a factor in the company's decision to locate their operations at Bantry Bay. On the other hand, the company are providing for themselves all the facilities which would normally be supplied by a harbour authority. The company will, of course, be a substantial payer of rates to the Cork County Council.
The State foreshore occupied by the Gulf Oil terminal is held by the company under a lease granted to them under the Foreshore Act, 1933. The lease, the terms of which were settled in March, 1968, provides for a rent of £7,000 per annum to the State.
Am I right in believing there are only two other terminals in Europe providing deep water facilities comparable to those available in Bantry Bay and that, in these two other terminals, substantial port dues are paid by this company and every other company using the unique facilities for deep water berthage similar to those available here in Bantry?
That is not my information. I have not the complete background information on the point raised by the Deputy and I am not, therefore, in a position to contradict what he says, but my information is that the rent charged in Bantry Bay is worked out on a basis comparable to the charges at Milfordhaven. I do not know the position of Rotterdam.
These are the only two other terminals which have deep water accommodation available and at each of these substantial dues are paid on each cargo of oil entering the port. Is the Parliamentary Secretary satisfied that the Gulf Oil Company, which enjoys the exclusive facilities available in Bantry Bay, is giving this Government as advantageous a deal as they are required to do by Great Britain and Holland for the use of the facilities available in those places?
I am satisfied we are and, checking with Milfordhaven, our rent charged here—a figure of £7,000 —is comparable exactly with the rent charged for similar facilities in Milfordhaven.
Is it comparable with the port dues paid on the tonnage which passes through Bantry Bay?
I am not in a position to answer that.
Perhaps the Parliamentary Secretary would look into that.