asked the Minister for Finance the total capital outlay to date by the Office of Public Works on the Dún Laoghaire car ferry terminals; and how this capital was raised.
491.
Written Answers. - Dún Laoghaire Port.
490.
asked the Minister for Finance if any further capital projects are in hand, or contemplated, for the car ferry terminals at Dún Laoghaire; if so the expenditure that is envisaged; and how it will be financed.
492.
asked the Minister for Finance if the operator of the Port Sealink has made any capital contribution to the capital construction costs; and in the absence of any capital contribution if there is any long-term operation and/or rates agreement with the operator to cover the servicing of capital.
493.
asked the Minister for Finance the reason one car ferry terminal at Dún Laoghaire is lying idle and that it has only been used briefly since it was constructed.
494.
asked the Minister for Finance how the charges raised by the Office of Public Works at Dún Laoghaire compare with those: (a) raised by Sealink at Holyhead; and (b) raised by the Dublin Port and Docks Board at Dublin Port.
495.
asked the Minister for Finance if there is any arrangement with the Dublin Port and Docks Board that harbour rates and conditions are harmonised between the two adjacent ports which are serviced by a common pilotage authority.
496.
asked the Minister for Finance if Dún Laoghaire harbour rates have been reviewed upwards each year with the consent of the Minister for Communications as has been done with Dublin Port and Docks Board charges; if it is true that for a period of approximately eight years Dún Laoghaire rates were never varied; and if so, the reason.
497.
asked the Minister for Finance if the Office of Public Works operate an open ports policy for the ferry terminals at Dún Laoghaire or if it is for the exclusive use of Sealink.
498.
asked the Minister for Finance the arrangements and the capital outlay that are envisaged to link Dún Laoghaire ferry terminals to the new electrified urban transport network in Dublin; and by whom the cost of any such capital outlay will be borne.
It is proposed to take Questions Nos. 490 to 498, inclusive, together.
Capital expenditure of £1.6 million was incurred by the Commissioners of Public Works in respect of the provision of car ferry facilites at Dún Laoghaire Harbour. The expenditure was met from the Vote for Public Works and Buildings out of moneys provided by the Oireachtas. There are no plans at present to undertake further capital projects.
The rates charged to Sealink UK Ltd. provide for the recovery of the capital expenditure incurred by the Commissioners of Public Works in providing the car ferry facilities.
St. Michael's Wharf was constructed on foot of a Government decision for the purpose of providing facilities for the new car ferry service introduced in 1965. Following the introduction by Sealink UK Ltd. of the new and much larger multipurpose vessel in 1977, the facilities available at St. Michael's Wharf were unsuitable for the new service.
Having regard to the type and volume of traffic at Dún Laoghaire Harbour, the current rates charged by the Commissioners of Public Works raise more income than would the application at Dún Laoghaire of the corresponding charges in force at Dublin Port. Details of the rates in force at Holyhead are matters for the port authorities there and the shipping operators concerned. The rates at Dún Laoghaire Harbour are set by the Commissioners following consultation with the Minister for Communications; regard is had as to the rates levels at Dublin Port.
The rates at Dún Laoghaire Harbour are reviewed as and when necessary, the current rates coming into force on 1 January 1984, the previous review having been on 1 March 1983. No increase was effected in the years 1975 to 1979 during which a comprehensive review was undertaken of the basis for assessment of the rates. The rates set in 1980 took account of the period from 1975.
Policy in relation to commercial operations at the harbour is determined by the Commissioners of Public Works in consultation with the Minister for Communications. The facilities at the harbour are not for the exclusive use of Sealink UK Ltd.
Until a decision as to the future of the spur line, which formerly served the mailboat pier, is made by the Departent of Communications, it is not possible to consider what arrangements, if any, would be appropriate in the context of the new electrified urban transport system.