Vol. 497 No. 3
68 Mr. Finucane asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources if he will clarify the impact of Objective One status on the ports of Foynes and Limerick where harbour development is considered under the operational programme for the years 2000-06; if both ports will still be considered for funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24956/98]
To determine the needs of the port industry nationally, my Department commissioned two detailed studies in the key areas of port costs and future capacity requirements over the past year. Both studies point clearly to the need for a third national port development programme as part of the National Development Plan, 2000-06.
Based on the examination of the port industry's importance to the economy and of its development needs over the period to 2007, a number of complementary measures have been developed comprising a substantial investment programme for ports which will seek to maximise the use of existing facilities and infrastructure, and ensure sufficient new infrastructure is added as demand grows.
Following a comprehensive consultation process involving all commercial seaports, including those operated by Shannon Estuary Ports Company and Foynes Port Company, port and maritime infrastructural development projects have been identified and costed in the context of possible funding allocations under the next round of EU Structural Funding post-1999. A key priority of any new seaports investment programme will be to ensure that port efficiencies and the utilisation of existing assets will be maximised and that new infrastructure will only be developed where there is a clear economic rationale and where there are no lower cost alternatives based on existing facilities.
