I congratulate the Leas-Cheann Comhairle on his election — nobody is more deserving. We recall the trauma he endured in the late 1980s when he was Minister for Health and when he fought his corner bravely and ably. I also congratulate the Minister of State at the Department of the Marine, Deputy Byrne, on his appointment. It is nice to see Deputies from maritime counties appointed to deal with maritime affairs because in the past appointees have often come from inland counties.
The Bell Lines debacle has serious repercussions for Waterford, the south-east region and the whole country. The Belview terminal served industry throughout the country and it was the leading container port in the country. Indeed, it was rated as the second best container operation in Europe because of its low charges and its efficiency. It handled 40 per cent of all container traffic in Ireland. An examiner was appointed to the company and as a result of his deliberations it has gone into liquidation.
I am reassured by the Minister for the Marine's statement of Friday last in which he commits the Government to supporting the terminal in the future to ensure it remains viable as a business entity. I support his statement and I hope he can deliver on it.
Waterford Harbour Commissioners are liable for repayments on a European loan of approximately £1.4 million per year. They could not meet that from their own resources without the port thriving. While Bell Lines was thriving until about a year ago it had become somewhat run down in recent times, partly due to the advent of the Channel Tunnel and partly to the horrific storm of last October which wrecked the terminal, damaging the cranes in particular. In its heyday there were about 14 sailings per week — a considerable amount of traffic for the port. Without that container traffic Waterford Port will suffer considerably and it is essential that such a turnover is restored.
One hundred and sixty people were employed by Bell Lines in Ireland and overall the company employed 600. This problem is not confined to those employed in Waterford. One must think of the ancillary activities generated by the port. Many hauliers have been in difficulty due to the liquidation. I was glad to read in today's newspaper that they will be paid, hopefully in full, but dozens were involved. Pilots on the river were extremely busy as were those operating trains to and from the terminal. It is very important that these activities and the level of employment be maintained. Will the Minister tell us what he will do to restore the status of the port?
We wish to see the port trading profitably again and there has been a downslide. Other ports have taken over Waterford's business but their charges are higher than those which pertain in Waterford. It is a distinct disadvantage to business in Ireland that people must pay more for the same service. It is not good for the country or individual businesses.
Waterford people want answers to the following questions. Why did the various consortiums which were in the process of taking over the port pull out at the last moment? There were two, one led by Irish Continental Lines and another by a group called Imari. Allegations were made. Is it true that Bell Lines was not trading profitably for the past 14 months and, if so, is this allowed in law? Why was it allowed to trade if it was not profitable?
Local people wish to see a number of companies move in to fill the void that has been created. They do not want a monopoly as it might not be sufficient to carry out the work done in the past by Bell Lines. We wish to see everything above board. There is a great deal of uncertainty and the workforce is disenchanted. There was a considerable breakdown in communications between it and management, particularly over the past 12 months. I want the Minister to examine these matters and give as frank, succinct and definite a reply as possible.
