Vol. 480 No. 3
8 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for the Marine if he will ensure that the Bell Lines operation at the Belview Terminal in Waterford Harbour is maintained in view of its strategic position in the operation of commercial shipping in Ireland. [14007/97]
10 Mr. Kenneally asked the Minister for the Marine if he has satisfied himself with the viability of the port at Belview in Waterford; the steps, if any, his Department will take to ensure that commercial operations recommence there as soon as possible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13997/97]
18 Mr. Kenneally asked the Minister for the Marine if the current designation of the Belview port in Waterford as a strategic port for lift-on lift-off will be maintained; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13996/97]
19 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for the Marine the action, if any, he proposes to take in response to the apparent collapse of the attempted rescue of Bell Lines through the examinership process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13991/97]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 8, 10, 18 and 19 together.
I have already dealt in detail with these issues in the context of my reply to priority questions. In summary the position is as follows: Bell Lines Shipping Company and four related companies were wound up by order of the High Court on Friday, 4 July 1997 and a liquidator was appointed. It is a matter for the liquidator to realise the assets of the companies and, in the case of the Bell group, it is likely that the assets will be sold, as going concerns. I am confident the liquidator will be successful in securing the future of the core businesses of the Bell group, thus saving the maximum number of jobs possible.
Immediately following the appointment of the liquidator, I assured Waterford Harbour Commissioners of the Government's full support in maintaining and developing their businesses into the future. With a view to guaranteeing and securing the future of Waterford port, I have put the following action plan into place: I am making top level, marketing and business development expertise available to Waterford Harbour Commissioners to accelerate recovery; I have ensured that repayments on European Investment Bank loans will be met without adversely affecting the financial position of Waterford port; my Department and Waterford Harbour Commissioners will give every assistance to the liquidator to maintain the maximum number of jobs and level of business in the port area.
Belview Terminal is one of the most modern container ports in Ireland and can provide national and international carriers with direct and cost-efficient access to the UK and continental Europe. Waterford Harbour Commissioners are looking for alternative carriers to operate out of Waterford port and have already received queries from some carriers as to availability of facilities. I will work directly with the commissioners to secure the future of the port as a major strategic port. In that connection I will visit the port in the next few days.
The Minister gave comprehensive replies to the questions tabled by Deputy Barrett and myself and on the Adjournment last evening. Will he make a point of meeting the workers employed by Bell Lines when he visits Waterford in the coming days? These people feel extremely hard done by, believe the company collapsed through no fault of theirs and are of the opinion that there was poor communication between themselves and management during the crisis.
I appreciate the Minister's efforts in respect of Bell Lines, particularly the statement he issued on Friday last regarding future development of the port. However, I am concerned about the major State investment already in place. What steps will be taken to ensure that the finance invested by the Government in Waterford port will be protected? Disturbing revelations were made to me by the workers at Bell Lines and I agree with Deputy Deasy that it was through no fault of theirs that the company went under. I am concerned if the port progresses in a certain way in the future because we do not know who will assume responsibility for the various aspects of the Bell Lines operation. It has been suggested that if we are not careful the same scenario could recur in two to three years. In view of the major State investment already in place, I seek an assurance that the Government will take steps to ensure it is protected.
I would be quite happy to meet with the workers but, as stated earlier, I am not the Minister responsible for dealing with their concerns. However, I will be happy to meet with them to hear their views and communicate them to the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise and Employment. I will do everything possible to facilitate their position.
As Deputy Kenneally stated, State investment in the port is a major concern. There has been some improvement in the situation given that Waterford Harbour Commissioners have increased flexibility in dealing with the Bellview terminal. A clause was built into the original contract which gave Bell Lines a high degree of priority as the initiators of the project. However, the contract has lapsed and the harbour commissioners will now have more flexibility in that regard. I take Deputy Kenneally's points and I will pursue the matter further. I already raised this issue, about which I am concerned, and I undertake to raise it with the Waterford Harbour Commissioners in the coming days.
Written Answers follow Adjournment Debate.
