Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 27 Mar 2001

Vol. 533 No. 3

Written Answers. - Ports Development.

Michael Finucane

Question:

73 Mr. Finucane asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the results of his discussions with the Department of the Environment and Local Government in the provision of adequate funding to Limerick County Council for the provision of an access road to Foynes Port; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8927/01]

Michael Finucane

Question:

75 Mr. Finucane asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources if he will confirm to the specialist consultants, the implementation board and both advisory boards that, in accord ance with the Harbours Act, 1996, the members of the staff of the predecessor harbour authorities will have their employment protectioned as to salary scales and conditions of service and with no forced redundancies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8984/01]

Michael Finucane

Question:

76 Mr. Finucane asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the reason there has not been a close liaison between the implementation board and both company advisory boards to ensure a smooth transition of the Shannon Foynes Port Company; if his attention has further been drawn to the poor morale within the advisory boards due to the implementation committee making major commercial decisions such as selling existing property and purchasing a temporary headquarters without any consultation with the advisory boards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8985/01]

Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources (Mr. Fahey)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 73, 75 and 76 together.

Provision of the new port access road was a condition of the planning consent given for the recently completed West Jetty extension at Foynes. Funding for the road is to be provided by the National Roads Authority, Limerick County Council and the Shannon Foynes Port Company.

I am advised by the Department of the Environment and Local Government that Limerick County Council was awarded £378,000 for 1999 and 2000 towards the cost of the access road to Foynes Port and that they have been allocated £150,000 under the EU co-financed specific improvements grant scheme for the project for 2001. I understand that the tender process for construction of this access road has recently commenced.

On 18 September 2000 the Foynes Port Company and the Shannon Estuary Ports Company, the successor authorities to Foynes Harbour Trustees and Limerick Harbour Commissioners, were amalgamated to form the Shannon Foynes Port Company on foot of the Harbours Acts, 1996 and 2000 (Transfer of Functions of Foynes Port Company and Shannon Estuary Ports Company) Order, 2000.

Section 41(1) of the Harbours Act, 1996, provides for existing superannuation schemes, the establishment of pension funds and arrangements for pilots etc. in the context of the transfer from the former Limerick Harbour Commissioners to the former Shannon Estuary Ports Company, to continue in existence or force and apply to each person to whom it applied immediately before corporatisation. Similarly, section 1 of the Harbours (Amendment) Act, 2000, provides, by way of amendment of the 1996 Act, for its continued application to the new Shannon Foynes Port Company.

The board of the Shannon Foynes Port Company is proceeding in accordance with their mandate provided by the statute and above men tioned order, to ensure this important protection for the staff of the previous companies is fully respected.

In this context, I am also advised that interviews for key positions within the new company are progressing according to plan. Consultations with staff and their trade union representatives have commenced regarding employee participation in a proposed voluntary redundancy scheme.

Fiduciary responsibility for all decisions relating to the Shannon Foynes Port Company rests with the company board since 18 September 2000. I am very grateful to the members for agreeing to serve on this vitally important board. I indicated to the House, when debating the Harbours (Amendment) Act, 2000, that there would be close liaison between the then informal implementation board and both port company boards and their successor advisory boards in order to ensure the smoothest possible transition to a new single port company structure.

I am advised that whereas the company board recognises that the advisory boards' members are not as involved now in the board – policy – decision making as in their previous roles, it is the board's opinion that relevant information should be and has been passed on at appropriate intervals. I am also advised that meetings of the advisory boards have taken place with updates provided on progress being made and views actively encouraged.

Both advisory boards were brought together by the new company on 15 March last. The attendance included the chairperson of each advisory board, members of the company board, the new company chief executive, five members of the Foynes Port Advisory Board and nine members of the Shannon Estuary Ports Advisory Board. A full report was delivered on the up to date status and relevant progress to that meeting.

I have been assured that the Shannon Foynes Port Company Board continues to encourage members of the advisory boards to seek any necessary clarification or advice, in particular through the mechanism of the quarterly advisory board meetings.

As the Deputy is aware, I instructed the board to locate the headquarters of the new larger company in Foynes, County Limerick. This was provided for in the Harbours Act, 1996, and 2000 (Transfer of Functions of Foynes Port Company and Shannon Estuary Ports Company) Order, 2000, and consequently the board had no discretion in the matter. I am advised that this has necessitated the acquisition of appropriate premises for the purpose.