Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 11 Feb 1999

Vol. 500 No. 3

Written Answers. - Dublin Port Management.

Ivor Callely

Ceist:

28 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources if he has satisfied himself that there is the required development and maintenance of the infrastructure in the Dublin Port Company to meet current demands and to be adequately prepared for the likely demands of the 21st century; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3721/99]

Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources (Dr. Woods)

Since it was corporatised on 3 March 1997 Dublin Port Company has been statutorily responsible under the Harbours Act, 1996, for the management, control direction and development of the harbour as a commercial State company. Freeing up the port from direct State control gave it the commercial freedom needed to operate as a modern, customer oriented service industry, while enhancing accountability for operational and financial performance. Co-financing of infrastructural development at Dublin Port comes through my Department, from the EU via the Operational Programme for Transport 1994 to 1999, the Ireland – Wales Maritime INTERREG Community initiative and the Cohesion Fund.

To determine the needs of the ports industry, including Dublin Port, my Department com missioned independent consultants last year to complete an EU national seaport capacity study. As part of this study a comprehensive physical investory of existing seaport capacity, including that of Dublin Port, was completed. The expert consultants have determined the future demand for seaport traffic handling capacity by mode and consequent infrastructural and organisational improvements which will be required to cater for future traffic. The study is a significant tool in ensuring the development and maintenance of adequate infrastructural capacity at strategic Irish ports to cope with economic growth and to underpin future development plans to deliver that capacity and his identified requirements up to 2007.

Dublin Port is a multimodal port catering for all cargo modes, as well as passengers. In terms of capacity the throughput in 1998 amounted to some 18.6 million tonnes – a record year which demonstrates the capacity of the port company to handle increased traffic.

Based on the examination of the port industries' importance to the economy and of its development needs over the period to 2007, I am advised that a substantial investment programme for ports is required. This programme will comprise a number of complementary measures which will seek to maximise the use of existing facilities and infrastructure, and ensure sufficient new infrastructure is added as demand grows. Dublin Port has identified its requirements and this is being considered for co-financing in the context of whether there will be available funds under the next national development plan and the capacity of the port and possibly port users to fund such new infrastructure as well as the cost of existing facilities.