Vol. 518 No. 3
88 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources if he will report on his meeting with officials from the Department of the Taoiseach in relation to the current position on the proposed single estuarial authority Bill for the Shannon Estuary; the future use of the Tarbet-Ballylongford landbank; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10748/00]
At a recent Government meeting approval was granted for the establishment of a single port company in the Shannon Estuary to replace the two existing port companies of Shannon Estuary Ports Company and Foynes Port Company. Authorisation was also given to the drafting of a Bill, amending the Harbours Act, 1996, on a priority basis. My Department and the Attorney General's office are now proceeding with the drafting of the Bill as a matter of priority.
The benefits which will arise from this initiative include, inter alia, the provision of a single, coherent voice in the marketing of the estuary ports by a more focused management, greater efficiencies and economies of scale allowing a more structured approach to infrastructural development as well as a more rational approach to the best use of terminals and assets.
The Shannon Estuary is a national asset, which because of its length, width and deep water, has the potential capability, unique in Ireland, to handle major transhipment business and be an international turntable for transatlantic and European seaborne trade. The proposal to use the Tarbert-Ballylongford landbank as a location for a container transhipment facility has been around for some time and I am determined that it be urgently and authoritatively explored.
On foot of this, a meeting was held on 31 March 2000 under the auspices of my Department and the Department of the Taoiseach at which other Government Departments, port companies and development agencies in the Shannon area were represented. The meeting agreed that while success is dependent on investment from the private sector, the project warrants further exploration. Shannon Development was tasked with the responsibility to develop the concept in outline form and to explore this informally with potential operators. This will take three to four months to complete.
