Vol. 236 No. 13
asked the Minister for Transport and Power the reason for the refusal of Cork County Council's request for the setting up of a harbour authority at Bantry; and if in view of the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries decision to have a major fishing port at Castletownbere he will reconsider his decision.
18.
asked the Minister for Transport and Power if his attention has been drawn to reports indicating that the Gulf Oil Company had no objection to the establishment of a harbour authority at Whiddy island; if he is aware that the establishment of such an authority would result in the collection of £500,000 per annum in port dues; and if he will have the matter re-examined.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 17 and 18 together.
Gulf Oil Company are the only major commercial user of Bantry Bay and, therefore, there is no need for a harbour authority, whose main function would be to reconcile conflicting requirements of different users and to develop, maintain and operate the harbour in their common interest. While Gulf Oil are paying no harbour dues they are providing for themselves the expensive facilities which would normally be provided by a harbour authority. The company accept that if other commercial interests decide to use Bantry Bay, the establishment of a harbour authority may be called for. In that event the dues which would be payable would be determined by the need of the authority to discharge its obligations and there could be no question of raising revenue for other purposes. Moreover, account would have to be taken in fixing the level of harbour dues, of harbour facilities provided by users at their own expense. I can see no prospect that revenue of the order of £500,000 a year could be justified or obtained in present circumstances.
The development of Castletownbere as a major fishery port does not affect the position. There will be a separate fishery authority for Castletownbere and no navigational problems in relation to the Gulf Oil project should arise.
I have informed Cork County Council that the matter will be reconsidered if and when further major developments take place at Bantry Bay.
