The Shannon Foynes Port Company has paid £288,716 for consultancy services since it was corporatised on 18 September, 2000. The fees paid related to the provision of actuarial, financial, management, marine and engineering, public relations and recruitment services.
I am advised that the board of the Shannon Foynes Port Company, along with the contracted consultants, are currently assessing the financial status of the new port company to establish the full extent of and requirements for capital works at both ports, the possibility of restructuring of loans, the potential for private sector involvement, port re-organisation and possible disposal of assets surplus to essential core business. I expect to receive, very shortly, a fully developed and costed assessment of the financial requirements necessary to ensure the solvency and effective operation of the new single port company having full regard to the parameters detailed above.