Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 30 Sep 2003

Vol. 571 No. 1

Written Answers. - Harbour Authorities.

Ciarán Cuffe

Question:

766 Mr. Cuffe asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the proposals he is considering to hand over the responsibility of Dún Laoghaire port to the Dublin Port Company; and the advantages which would accrue to Dún Laoghaire consequent to this change in management structures. [21317/03]

Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources (Mr. D. Ahern)

I have no proposals at present to hand over the responsibility of Dún Laoghaire Harbour to Dublin Port Company.

In May 2003 I published the high level review of the State commercial ports operating under the Harbours Acts, 1996 and 2000. The purpose of the high level review was to critically review the current model for the governance of the port companies.

Among its many findings and recommendations, the high level review noted that there is a mandate conflict between the commercial and heritage obligations of Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company. The review recommended that the responsibility for the cultural and heritage aspects should be transferred to Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council and that consideration be given, on commercial and economic grounds, to merging Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company and Dublin Port Company to become Dublin Bay Company.

When I published the high level review, I also initiated a full public consultation process on its findings and recommendations. In response, my Department has received submissions from a number of parties including the two port companies concerned and Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council. All submissions will receive careful consideration by my Department.

It is my intention to publish a comprehensive policy statement over the coming months drawing on the high level review and the subsequent consultation process and taking into account the outcome of my Department's consultations with the Competition Authority and the Department of Transport on competition issues which, of course, would be particularly relevant in the context of any proposals to merge port companies.