Ivor Callely
Ceist:45 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the harbour authorities that have been established; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12471/98]
Written Answers. - Harbour Authorities.
The Fishery Harbour Centres Act 1968 empowered the Minister to declare and define harbours as fishery harbour centres. Between 1969 and 1990 Killybegs, Rossaveal, Castletownbere, Dunmore East and Howth were declared as fishery harbour centres.
I announced recently that new management structures for the fishery harbour centres will be developed, in consultation with the interested parties, and that Dingle will be an integral element of this initiative.
Commercial harbour authorities were established under various statutes and charters dating from the 1800s and earlier in some cases. Up to 1976 there were 25 harbour authorities, scheduled under the Harbours Act, 1946. On 2 July 1976, Bantry Bay Harbour Commissioners were established as a harbour authority under the Harbours Act, 1976.
On 3 March 1997, eight ports, namely, Cork, Dublin, Dun Laoghaire, Drogheda, Foynes, Galway, New Ross and the Shannon Estuary Ports, were vested as port companies under the Harbours Act, 1996.
Prior to vesting date, Dun Laoghaire Harbour was a State owned harbour under the aegis of the Department of the Marine. The other seven ports were scheduled as harbour authorities under the Harbours Act, 1946.
On Monday last, 25 May 1998, I announced that Waterford Port would be upgraded to full commercial semi-State status as a port company no later than 1 January 1999, which will bring the number of port companies to nine.