asked the Minister for Transport and Power whether, in view of this country's full accession to the EEC, any consideration has been given to the development of a national plan for port development.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - National Port Development.
43.
The position of Irish commercial ports in the context of any ports policy which might be decided on by the EEC is being kept under review in my Department. However, I am satisfied that no change is currently called for in the present position under which a statutory obligation for the management, control and operation of a harbour and the provision of reasonable facilities and accommodation rests on each individual harbour authority.
Would the Minister agree that within months of our formal entry to the EEC he is taking a slightly complacent view of the situation, being content to continue with independent port development all around the country without any national plan for port development? Surely that is taking a very complacent view of the situation.
I can assure the Deputy and the House that we think alike. I called a meeting on 3rd November last with a view to considering the setting up of a small practical committee which would examine available data on regional planning policy and the IDA industrial plans and to make trade projections for ten years ahead to indicate what expansion of harbours will be necessary. The meeting was attended by officers of my Department, the Department of Finance, the IDA, Foras Forbartha, the Economic and Social Research Institute, B & I and CIE. A further meeting to draw up terms of reference has been fixed for 4th December, next month.
Will the Minister not agree that the small ports around the coast are falling into decay because of the policy of the Government in the Second Programme that ports would not get any money by way of grant or loan unless they produced specific enterprises?
I prefer the approach suggested by Deputy O'Leary that we should have co-ordination.
Does the Minister not agree that ports are falling into decay?
Yes, but we have embarked on this useful exercise of co-ordination. In the past, the money was spread too thinly.
It was not spread at all.
I prefer Deputy O'Leary's approach.
The Minister is very quick to find the distinct difference between Deputy Kavanagh and myself on this matter. What we are jointly concerned about is that there appears to be fantastic disparity between the approaches of different port authorities. I agree with the Minister but I suggest that it is necessary this committee will hurry up with their report.
I agree. They are to report to me as a matter of urgency. They will set up terms of reference for the permanent committee.