Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 3 Nov 1992

Vol. 424 No. 8

Written Answers. - Kinsale Harbour Development.

Jim O'Keeffe

Question:

49 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for the Marine whether the successful track record of Kinsale Harbour as a self-financing commercial operation with a very vibrant and growing leisure fleet should be reflected in the status accorded to the harbour board in the future.

Minister for the Marine (Dr. Woods)

I agree with the Deputy that Kinsale Harbour has a vibrant and growing leisure fleet. Regrettably, however, commercial traffic at Kinsale has declined from 160,000 tonnes in 1986 to 96,000 tonnes in 1991 and there has been a similar decline in portal revenue.

The Commercial Harbours Review Group, whose report was presented to me on 6 July 1992, addressed the present and future direction of ports policy and legislation for the commercial seaports. The review group recommended that responsibility for ports which cater for commercial traffic of less than 200,000 tonnes per annum and which do not cater for a significant level of seafish traffic be transferred to local authorities. Kinsale Harbour falls within this category.

In the consultations which I have had with all harbour authorities, I have stressed that I will listen very carefully to their considered views on the best way forward in the case of each individual harbour.