Vol. 436 No. 6
43 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for the Marine the plans, if any, he has to increase the number of staff who are employed by his Department at Dún Laoghaire Harbour, County Dublin, in view of the increased level of ferry activity at Dún Laoghaire.
The substantial increase in ferry traffic at Dún Laoghaire Harbour this year is a most welcome development. During the summer season this year there were eight sailings per day from the harbour compared with five sailings per day in the previous year. I wish to pay tribute to the co-operation and flexibility shown by the workforce in ensuring that the additional sailings were catered for.
It is clear that the existing facilities at the harbour are not adequate to meet the demands placed at high season. As the Deputy is aware, I have appointed a team of consultants to design new ferry terminal facilities. I expect that the new facilities will be more efficient and cost effective and will not require a larger labour force than the present structures. The work requirements in the interim do not represent the final requirements of the port. It would not be appropriate therefore to increase the permanent workforce in order to meet a temporary requirement.
