Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 21 May 1992

Vol. 420 No. 1

Fishery Harbour Centres (Amendment) Bill, 1992: Second Stage (Resumed).

Question again proposed: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time."

Mr. Sheehan

This very important Bill relates to fishery development interests in Castletownbere. The Bill is good news for fishermen in that area. It is a pity it took so long to convince the Minister and the Government that it is most important to have this legislation passed. Naturally, good things take time. However we must give credit to the Minister for introducing this Bill which sets out clearly our aims for Castletownbere Harbour. The Minister stated that the harbour master estimates that he could have collected quite a substantial amount of revenue in fees from the vessels operating in the sound. It is only right and proper that those factory ships which handle the catches from Scottish and Norwegian boats should now pay a fee because for far too long they had the privilege of free berthage — in other words free parking in the deep water sound. Factory ships do not enjoy this privilege in any other port in the world except in Castletownbere. The people of Castletownbere and the harbour were the poorer for the failure to collect the dues from these vessels. Now that we have set in place a procedure to collect the dues I look forward eagerly to an assurance from the Minister that the moneys will not be hijacked back to Dublin to the Department of the Marine but will be invested in the infrastructural development of the port in Castletownbere.

The syncrolift in Castletowbere is incapable of lifting the super-trawlers that operate from the harbour. I want to see this corrected immediately. I want the syncrolift brought up to a standard to accommodate the super-trawlers. It is a sad state of affairs to think that the skippers and crew of the trawlers have to take the vessel up to Killybegs — a distance of 300 miles of rough coastline — to have her serviced. We would like to see the vessels being serviced in Castletownbere and we hope that the moneys collected in harbour dues will contribute substantially to introducing a syncrolift operation in Dinish Island, Castletownbere. I also hope that we will be able to remove the derelict wreck of the Bardini Reefer which is creating major havoc for the fishing boats operating in and out of the bay.

I wish to put on record the support I received from my constituency colleagues, Deputy J. O'Keeffe and the Minister for Agriculture and Food, Deputy Walsh, in getting this very serious matter introduced today. They, too, had played their part in getting the Minister to appreciate the serious situation in Castletownbere and the necessity for this legislation.

I heartily welcome the Bill on behalf of the people of Castletownbere.

Mr. G. O'Sullivan

I compliment the Minister on bringing forward this legislation which will not be impeded in any way by me or my colleagues in the House. If I were to do so I, an O'Sullivan, could not go back to Castletownbere again.

This is a very necessary Bill. It has taken a long time for it to come before us despite Members having put down questions on this matter over the years. It is very important that Castletownbere gets the status it deserves. I must compliment the Minister on grasping this problem and running with it in the short period he has been in the Department.

We are delighted that the Bill is being processed through the House. In the report on fisheries harbours commissioned in the sixties, Castletownbere was assessed as the best fishery port in the country. Its location, sheltered by Bear and Dinish Islands makes it a very attractive place for ships to berth particularly the big trawlers which, as Deputy Sheehan outlined, have berthed in the sound over a long number of years. Castletownbere has been quite a happy hunting ground for them. While the people of Castletownbere have probably benefited, the harbour did not benefit but this is being addressed in the Bill.

This Bill puts Castletownbere on the map as a fisheries harbour, a status it should have had always. I hope that by collecting the dues from foreign trawlers we will not hunt them away but I do not think that should happen because of the close proximity of the sound to rich fishing grounds. There is also the tradition of seeking safe berthage in the sound. I think this will continue. However Castletownbere will now enjoy the status it rightly deserves. I believe that we will make strong progress in Castletownbere because that part of west Cork badly needs a shot in the arm.

While the Bill may be processed through the House in the course of a few minutes it is very important legislation for Castletownbere and we cannot stress enough the importance of the new status it is being given. I compliment the Minister in introducing this Bill in rapid time and I can assure him of my fully support and co-operation in its speedy passage through the House.

Mr. Lyons

I join my colleagues from Cork in complimenting the Minister on the introduction of this Bill. I also compliment Deputy Sheehan for his tenacity and the way he co-operated with the former Taoiseach at every opportunity in pressing for this legislation which is very badly needed and long overdue. The Minister, Deputy Sheehan and Deputy Gerry "Castletownbere" O'Sullivan have expounded on the legislation and they have done it justice.

I would like to comment on an area of the coast a small bit east of Castletownbere, if I may, and I am prompted to avail of this opportunity to do so when I hear rumblings about the setting up of a Euro port in the Shannon Estuary. This matter was the subject of a Dáil question here today when I learned that reviews have been taking place. I should like to include another port or harbour. For the record, in case people are not aware, development in the port of Cork enjoyed probably its most successful year ever in 1991 in terms of total traffic handled, major capital projects undertaken and financial performance. Total cargo handled topped the 6 million tonne mark with spectacular increases in container and car ferry traffic. The upward trend in port traffic continued into 1992 and for the period January to March total cargo amounted to 1.74 million tonnes, an increase of 200,000 tonnes, or 13 per cent, on the same period last year. This is clearly well in excess of current national economic growth and it confirms the port of Cork has an ever increasing market share of national seaborne traffic.

Cork's reputation for harmonious industrial relations allied to a fast, efficient and flexible service is ensuring that more and more port users are routing their traffic through the port which is so ably administered by the Cork Harbour Commissioners. Perhaps the port's most striking feature is that it is refreshingly devoid of traditional bureaucracy associated with other large ports. Instead there is a tangible customer orientation and commercial motivation in line with the harbour commissioner's mission statement part of which reads: "to operate, administer, develop and control the port of Cork as an efficient customer orientated commercial enterprise." Most port users agree that this philosophy permeates the port's operations from functions performed by the port authority to those performed by the shipping agents, the stevedores, customs and all other agencies involved in the port. Above all, one has a strong sense that the port has a clear vision of where its rightful position is and its future goals. The commissioners produced a five year corporate plan which clearly charts the port's direction. Cork's commercial outlook is very much in keeping with new harbours legislation which is expected in the next year or two. Besides Dublin, the port of Cork is the only port in the Republic handling all five shipping modes——

Mr. Sheehan

On a point of order——

Mr. Lyons

——lift-on lift-off containers, roll-on roll-off car ferries, dry bulk, liquid bulk——

Mr. Sheehan

On a point of order, I should like to ask Deputy Lyons the effect of his statement on the port of Cork and on the extension of the harbour master's powers in Castletownbere. What the Deputy has stated over the past five minutes will butter no bread for the people of Castletownbere, Bantry or south-west Cork.

Acting Chairman (Mr. Jacob)

Deputy Lyons to continue, without interruption.

Mr. Lyons

Ní neart go chur le chéile. One of the port's major strengths is the stable industrial relations. At the beginning of the last decade, in common with many other ports in Ireland, including Castletownbere and overseas, the port of Cork decided to rationalise dock labour and to introduce new work practices in tandem with the introduction of highly mechanised cargo handling equipment which, the Deputy may need in Castletownbere.

Mrs. Barnes

Will the Deputy send it down to him?

Mr. Sheehan

Diversify——

Mr. Lyons

Problems are identified and solutions posed by the harbour commissioners. Port stevedores and port users work towards a common objective of creating a competitive cost effective stevedoring environment. Negotiations were entered into with the ITGWU, later known as SIPTU — the Deputy may need them as well — representing the dock workers. Broad targets were established and there was general agreement that rationalisation be undertaken on a phased basis. To date two phases have been negotiated and implemented on a self-financing basis at a cost of over £3.5 million, while it is expected that negotiations on a third phase will commence shortly. Rationalisation of the harbour commissioners workforce also took place——

Acting Chairman

Deputy Lyons, your contribution is not entirely relevant to the Bill.

Mrs. Barnes

It has nothing to do with the Bill.

Mr. Lyons

I am making a passing reference to harbours, shipping and capital investment.

Mr. Sheehan

The Deputy has gone completely off course.

Mr. Lyons

I accept the Bill is narrow in the context of the port of Castletownbere but the port I am talking about is not too far east from it.

Mrs. Barnes

Sorry, on a point of order——

Mr. Lyons

Some of what I am saying may be relevant in the ongoing development of Castletownbere. All I am saying is that if you take a leaf out of the book of the port of Cork you can use it in Castletownbere.

Mrs. Barnes

This is unacceptable.

Mr. Sheehan

I can assure the Deputy that the Castletownbere harbour masters can handle their own affairs and do not need advice from any outside body.

Mr. Lyons

Over the past decade there has been an investment of over £30 million in new port facilities due to its advanced planning and healthy financial position. The port of Cork was the first Irish port to benefit from EC Structural Funds. The port of Ringaskiddy offers the largest multi-user port facility in Ireland. The Ringaskiddy deep water berth can accommodate fully laden panmac size vessels, 60,000 tonnes dead weight, and a £5 million quay extension currently nearing completion will enable the complex to handle two large carriers simultaneously. Many thousands of tonnes of dry bulk materials, principally animal feed, are handled here each year and the economies of scale to be gained from large vessels represent a significant reduction in raw material costs for the hard pressed agricultural sector.

Private sector confidence in Ringaskiddy's facilities is evidenced by their investment in large custom built quayside storage. Cargoes are discharged ex-ship by the port's modern high output grab cranes which are equipped with dust control hoppers. In addition to the animal feed shipments other cargoes handled on a regular basis include bananas, fertilisers, cereals——

Mrs. Barnes

Fertiliser is right.

Mr. Lyons

A recent feature has been the increasing number of large vessels carrying Japanese cars and berthing at Cobh and Ringaskiddy. For these vessels, en route to Europe, there is only a short deviation to call to Cork and the advantage of 24 hour working without tidal restrictions has proved very attractive. Beside the Ringaskiddy deep water terminal there is the ferry terminal, of which the port's car ferry and ro-ro freight services are operated. Ferry passenger numbers increased by 17 per cent or 207,000 passengers, in 1991 while tourist cars increased by 21 per cent to 53,000 cars. This impressive growth confirms the attraction of Cork as an entry point for visitors from both the UK and the continent.

The Cork-Swansea route enjoyed a spectacular season last year and accounted for much growth. However, there was also a strong performance by Brittany Ferries on the Roscoff route — the shortest direct crossing between Ireland and France and by Irish Ferries on their Le Havre route. I would like to see an extension of the services by Brittany Ferries because of its benefit to Cork and the Cork area.

Acting Chairman

This contribution is irrelevant. In all fairness I did draw your attention to it. I would ask you either to be relevant or to complete your contribution.

Mr. Lyons

I thought a passing reference to the port of Cork might be relevant on Second Stage.

Mrs. Barnes

The Deputy has anchored there.

Mr. Lyons

There is much more I wanted to say but I will conclude by saying that Ireland's greatest problem is unemployment. There is little doubt that Cork's superior facilities and geographic location allied to competitiveness and ongoing development can and will lead to a further increase in traffic and create additional employment in the port area. for the reasons I have outlined Cork is entitled to be the Euro port of Ireland.

Minister for the Marine (Dr. Woods)

Dún Laoghaire Harbour is a long way from Castletownbere.

Mrs. Barnes

I will forbear from making a passing reference to Dún Laoghaire Harbour and will not allow Castletownbere's day to be overshadowed. From my knowledge of the people of south west Cork I know they hold the view that Cork city always manages to steal the limelight.

Mr. G. O'Sullivan

That is not fair.

Mrs. Barnes

I warmly welcome the Bill and wish it a safe passage through the House. This is an historic occasion and I commend the Minister for the Marine on introducing this Bill. I wish to pay tribute to the Deputies who constantly raised this matter, particularly Deputy Sheehan for whom it was a mission in life involving him in many exchanges across this House not just with the present administration but with the former Taoiseach. I would like to think that Deputy Haughey will now be able to sail into very safe waters around west Cork now that this Bill has been introduced.

I can understand why Deputy Sheehan, and others, called so regularly for this Bill. We have all drawn attention to the physical qualities and attributes of Castletownbere and the need not just to maintain it but to develop it as one of the leading fishing ports in Ireland. That cannot be accomplished until certain other facilities are provided, including larger ice plants and a lift operation which can deal with larger ships. The ships that would normally be berthed in Castletownbere have to take long journeys through rocky waters. The lift system is not alone inadequate to lift ships laden with cargo but even to enable them to be painted. If we are to build on the progress we have made here today, Deputy Sheehan's request will have to be met. I hope the Minister will be able to follow through not just by committing the harbour dues which will now be collected but other infrastructural funds to develop the port. Castletownbere not only has wonderful commercial potential but is also a scenic area of great beauty. Hopefully this port will be a commercial port of high employment in south west Cork which, as we know, has one of the highest rates of unemployment.

The Minister, on Second Stage, said there remains the question of harbour dues on commercial activity in the sound area. I would like to think that there will be some decision on this. Hopefully, with the wonderful development and investment in the port, commercial activity will increase with the knock-on effect of ensuring productivity and profitability in that port at a level that it has not reached before.

Finally, the romantic in me prompts me to ask about the sunken wreck Deputy Sheehan referred to. I would like to think that the sunken wreck would not alone be raised but that we might find some treasure within it that would put an end to all the worries Deputy Sheehan has in regard to Castletownbere. However, if there is no buried treasure, I hope not just the dues that will be collected but further infrastructural funds will be invested so that Castletownbere will be the leading fishing port in Ireland. In saying that I do not wish to take on Deputy Lyons but healthy competition is never bad.

Minister for the Marine (Dr. Woods)

First, I would like to thank the Deputies for their welcome for the Bill. They say that every dog has its day. Even an old sea dog has its historic occasion. It is certainly Deputy Sheehan's day and I am very happy to be able to give it to him. Deputy O'Sullivan has also pressed me about this matter. There are always technicalities and various problems but we pressed ahead as fast as we could.

It is a very important development and I look forward to it taking place. I would like to thank the Deputies for giving it a quick passage through the House so that it can go to the Seanad, to the President for signature and be put into operation as early as possible.

Deputy Sheehan asked where the dues would go. Since its designation as a fishery harbour centre there has been an investment of £4.6 million in Castletownbere. In 1992 we are providing an additional £100,000 for various development works in the centre. The additional revenue that will accrue once the limits are extended will ensure that in future the centre will break even, which it has not done for a number of years. The revenue will be paid into the fishery harbour centre's fund. The first call on it will be to ensure that the fishery harbour centre breaks even. After that, the Deputy can be assured we will be very anxious to address the problems and ensure that moneys come back to the area.

I share Deputy Sheehan's concern about the wreck of the Bardini Reefer which sank in 1982 and remains in the approach channel. The removal would, of course, be very expensive. However, my Department will pursue various options with a view to its eventual removal. Obviously, the insurers should be removing it.

Mr. Sheehan

On a point of information, will the Minister clarify who will be responsible now if an accident occurs at that wreck?

Dr. Woods

I presume it would be the insurers and the masters of the boats. I would give a wide berth to it as otherwise one might have difficulty in catching up with the insurers. However it can be seen; and I have seen it.

Mr. Sheehan

But only at low tide; it is submerged at high tide.

Dr. Woods

The Deputy mentioned the synchro-lift. We are examining it with a view to increasing its lifting capacity.

In relation to the volume of traffic, in 1990 a total of 452 vessels entered the sound; 453 entered in 1991 while it is estimated that approximately 600 will enter in 1992. That would represent a considerable increase. They also estimate that amost £52,000 in revenue has been lost as a result of this area not being included.

Mr. Sheehan

Would the Minister agree that the factory ships operated in the sound free of charge up until 1990? Is he aware that the dues for 1990 and 1991 had not been paid in full up to one month ago?

Dr. Woods

From now on they will not get very far from the Deputy as he will have all the power he needs. It will be an added bonus if commercial traffic can be attracted into the harbour as this would lead to an increase in income.

Deputy Barnes mentioned the ice plant. In 1990, Bord Iascaigh Mhara provided a state of the art computerised ice plant on Dinish Island which has an ice-making capacity of 80 tonnes per day. I should say to Deputy Lyons that today we are concentrating on amending the fishery harbour centres legislation. Cork harbour is a commercial port and operates under different legislation. However, I have noted the Deputy's comments and his vote of confidence in Cork harbour. Indeed, the harbour is doing very well. I opened a new container port there recently.

Finally, I thank Deputies for welcoming the Bill and for their co-operation in putting it through the House today. I look forward to implementing its provisions as quickly as possible.

Question put and agreed to.