Vol. 408 No. 6
7 Mr. McCartan asked the Minister for the Marine when he last received an application from the Dublin Port and Docks Board to increase their harbour rates; if he will outline his response to the board's request; and the plans he has to facilitate an increase in the rates.
All Dublin Port and Docks Board's applications to increase their harbour rates, which are to apply from 1991, have been approved. The last application received was that in respect of warehousing rates and was approved on 14 May 1991.
When did the Minister receive the application which was approved on 14 May 1991?
Offhand I could not give him the date but I will write to the Deputy and let him know.
Can I help the Minister by reminding him that he received the application in October 1990? Why did it take six months to approve new harbour rates for the Dublin Port and Docks Board? Will he agree that this is now a regular occurrence, that applications from the Dublin Port and Docks Board for adjustments to their harbour rates are considerably delayed in the Minister's Department? Can he explain the cause of the delay? Does he not agree that it is a great hindrance to the major port in the country to be held up in this way by delays in their applications for increases in their rates?
I am afraid the Deputy got the wrong end of the stick. He was talking about the warehousing rates not about harbour rates.
In relation to harbour rates in Dublin port, is the Minister aware of the substantially increased costs relative to Larne port or Dublin port? Would he not agree that this is one of the major reasons there has been a growth in the Northern corridor at the expense of the central corridor?
I am sorry I cannot allow such an extension of the question; the question specifically refers to Dublin Port and Docks only.
May I remain at the same end of this stick as the Minister? Is it not the case that the warehousing rates to which the Minister referred, which were approved on 14 May, were applied for in October 1990? Can the Minister confirm that?
I will try to get the information for the Deputy. I do not have it here with me. In my reply I indicated that all the applications seeking an increase have been approved. The last application was in respect of warehousing rates——
After six months.
——and was approved on 14 May.
