With the permission of the House, A Cheann Comhairle, I propose allocating some of my time to Deputy Deenihan.
Adjournment Debate. - Establishment of Shannon Estuary Authority.
Is that satisfactory? Agreed.
I want to thank you, Sir, for having facilitated me in my request to raise this matter on the Adjournment, one that has been debated on many previous occasions in this House. Unfortunately, despite the debate which has taken place, no progress is yet in evidence. The necessity, reasoning and logic of having a Shannon Estuary Authority is unquestionable. All the political parties in this House have debated its necessity on one or more occasions when it appeared in principle there was agreement around this House that such an estuary authority be established. Unfortunately, the necessary legislation aiming to set up such a body also seemed doomed to failure on more than one occasion.
Of itself the Shannon Estuary constitutes a tremendous resource not only to the north-west Munster region but to the whole of the West. It is unfortunate that on this occasion one must seek some clarification from the Government in order to reintroduce some activity into the otherwise total lack of action on the part of a Government who seem to the outsider to be totally divided and split on the formation of a Shannon Estuary authority.
The development and utilisation of the Shannon Estuary in the past has been confused. The involvement of disparate bodies has not assisted in the utilisation or development of this resource. It is now of grave urgency that this Government take some initiative, at least seek the agreement of this House, on the future of a body to regulate and develop this resource. On the last occasion of such a discussion in this House I aired my views contending that as a matter of urgency we should seek agreement among all the parties in this House. I do not believe the Shannon Estuary is the prerogative of any of the parties in this House. I contend the issue is bigger than the political parties. It is unfortunate that it has been made a political issue at local and national level.
On the formation of the present Government I asked whether some action would be taken. Unfortunately the Minister's escape clause was that a report was being sought. The number of reports prepared already in relation to the Shannon Estuary would be greater than any prepared in relation to any of our other waterways. I do not believe there is any other information that can be gleaned by any other experts in relation to the Shannon Estuary. What is now needed is action on the part of the Government.
I should like the Minister of State present to inform the House specifically whether the Government have discussed legislation in relation to this area, whether they are in a position to introduce such legislation and if the divisions between the Leader of the Progressive Democrats, the Minister for Foreign Affairs and the Minister of State himself in relation to the establishment of an estuary authority have been overcome. Unless the Minister of State is in a position to state that those divisions have been overcome this is a pointless exercise and there will not be a Shannon Estuary authority established in the near future. Consequently any possibility of development in the Shannon Estuary will be impeded.
We in County Kerry are particularly concerned at the lack of development in relation to the Tarbert-Ballylongford land bank now under the auspices of Shannon Development who are setting out to reappraise prospects of development in that area. Even after such reappraisal the necessity for the establishment of a single estuary authority will remain necessary. If that is not done then the relevant local authorities, Shannon Development and the various harbour commissioners will all be seeking a slice of the action whereas one single estuary authority, irrespective of its location, would be in a position to go out and market the estuary and its facilities. The counties of Clare, Limerick, Kerry and indeed Tipperary are suffering in terms of economic development because of the failure of the Government to make any progress in this area.
It would be my hope that the Minister of State could give the House some indication this evening whether the Government have at least discussed or recognised the necessity for the establishment of such a body and whether they have resolved their difficulties. If the Minister is not in a position to so inform us then he should inform the House categorically that, because of the differences obtaining between the Progressive Democrats and the Fianna Fáil Party, there are no prospects for the establishment of this estuarial authority. It would then become incumbent on the Opposition parties to introduce legislation in the interests of the development there that I contend to be absolutely necessary.
I should like to thank my colleague, Deputy Spring, for allowing me some of his time.
Over the past 15 years there have been many efforts made in this House to introduce legislation for the establishment of a single estuarial authority for the Shannon Estuary. Despite those efforts there obtains fragmentation, no co-ordination, indeed a total lack of development in that region. Apart from the ESB station in Tarbert, the Kerry bank of the estuary has been totally ignored. Despite the fact that the IDA amassed a land bank of some 600 acres in the region there has been no development whatsoever in the Tarbert-Ballylongford area, still a green field site. The Tarbert-Ballylongford land bank has been recognised in the many studies and reports prepared over the past ten years as constituting an area of massive potential. It remains a green field site with very little immediate prospect of development despite promises by a number of politicians even in recent times.
The Minister of State present might inform the House whether he would request his colleague, the Minister for Industry and Commerce, to publish the report submitted to him recently by SFADCo on the future development of the Shannon Estuary. It is most important that all representatives of the area should read that report.
I agree totally with Deputy Spring, that because of the failure to introduce legislation so far, it is now time an all-party committee was established to examine legislation for the establishment of a Shannon Estuary authority. In the past all-party committees of this House have proved successful in overcoming parochial problems and individual differences. I see no reason such an all-party committee would not be successful in the case of the Shannon Estuary.
I am aware that the Minister of State has a keen interest in this matter as it also affects his constituency. It is of paramount importance that there be development along the Shannon Estuary. I envisage a single authority acting as a catalyst in developing the estuary to its full potential. I appeal to the Minister of State to bring forward the necessary legislation, even if this means setting up an all-party committee, as there is a need for action in the region. The days for promises are long gone.
I thank both Deputy Spring and Deputy Deenihan for their contributions this evening and wish to say in reply that Deputies will be aware that the objective of the Harbours (Shannon Estuary Development Corporation) Bill, 1988, was to bring together the three main harbours of the estuary, Limerick, Foynes and Kilrush, under the one umbrella. Deputies will be further aware that this was not the first occasion on which proposals for the setting up of a single authority for the Shannon Estuary had been put before this House. The concept of a single estuarial authority has been under discussion for a period in excess of 20 years. Successive Ministers have had extensive negotiations with the various interests involved over the last ten or 12 years.
Bills providing for a single harbour authority for the estuary were introduced in 1977 and 1986 but lapsed on the dissolution of the Dáil in those years. Likewise, the 1988 Bill had only completed Second Stage when the last Dáil was dissolved. I decided not to restore the Bill to the Order Paper on the assembly of the new Dáil but this is not to say I have decided to drop the legislation altogether. I have decided to defer it for two reasons. At about the same time a strategic study for the integrated development of the Shannon Estuary, commissioned by the Government and undertaken by SFADCo, was in progress. This study, which has a very wide remit, examines the estuary's natural and economic advantages and its potential for further integrated development having regard to the need to protect the estuary's environment from inappropriate developments. Consideration of this study is at a very advanced stage. In the light of the fact that this study covers among other things ports, shipping and trans-shipment facilities I consider that it would be prudent at this stage to await its findings.
There is one other reason for my decision. The challenges of 1992 and the implications of the Channel tunnel have led me to the conclusion that a major review of the entire legislation code under which commercial harbours operate, the Harbours Acts from 1946 to 1976, is very necessary. For this reason I will establish in the near future a review group to examine the issue with the intention of replacing the existing legislation with a body of legislation more suited to the modern ports system. Deputies should bear in mind that the Shannon Estuary Bill would have amended the Harbours Act only in certain respects and did not deal with the many other issues which it is now clear need updating. Rationalisation of harbours is an appropriate subject for consideration by the review group and in the case of the Shannon Estuary proposals can be examined in parallel with the review group's work.
I am very familiar with the views of many Deputies, including those of Deputy Spring and Deputy Deenihan, on many aspects of the Shannon Estuary Bill. However, I still have some difficulty in establishing whether Deputy Spring is firmly in favour of the Bill referred to and in his remarks this evening he failed to clarify his position.
Nothing which has been said this evening should lead me to alter the stance I have taken. It is in the best interests of the region that we await the outcome of the Shannon development study and the findings of the review group before progressing further with Shannon Estuary legislation.
Can the Minister of State tell me if the SFADCo report has been received by the Department and when can we expect to have their conclusions?
(Limerick West): I hope to publish their conclusions very shortly, as soon as the Government have examined the report.