Harbours and Piers Development

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 30 June 2015

Tuesday, 30 June 2015

Questions (683)

Richard Boyd Barrett

Question:

683. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he is aware that a document sent on 22 August 2013, obtained under a freedom of information request, by a person (details supplied) concerning the Dún Laoghaire Cruise Stakeholders Group which intends to set up to attract cruise liners to Dún Laoghaire Harbour, sets out the way this group will finance the construction cost of €18 million for a cruise liner berth, to which the following parties are expected to contribute: €3 million from Dún Laoghaire Cruise Stakeholders Group, this €3 million being made up of €750,000 from the private sector-Dún Laoghaire Business Improvement District, €750,000 from Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company, €1.5 million from Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council and the remaining €15 million being made up of €1.5 million from Dublin City Council, €2 million from the Exchequer-Fáilte Ireland-other investment funds, €3.6 million from grant-aid from TEN-EU Commission and €7.9 million from Dún Laoghaire Cruise Stakeholders Group - European Investment Bank 40-year loan; if he will confirm if he is giving his consent for Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company to be part of the Dún Laoghaire Cruise Stakeholders Group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25928/15]

Written answers

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

The Harbours Acts require Ministerial consent in relation to certain specific activities, including the establishment of any subsidiary company, certain investments in undertakings (other than a subsidiary) greater than €1.27 million, and borrowings.

In addition, the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies requires Ministerial consent for any 'action which would extend or change significantly the nature, scope or scale of activities in which [the State Body] ... engages' and also where any joint venture is proposed.

Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company does not require my consent to be part of the Dún Laoghaire Cruise Stakeholders Group.

The objects of a State port company are clearly set out in Section 11 of the Harbours Act 1996. As previously highlighted to the Deputy, these include the promotion of investment in the harbour and engaging 'in any business activity, either alone or in conjunction with other persons, that it considers to be advantageous to the development of its harbour.'