Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 10 May 2000

Vol. 518 No. 6

Written Answers. - Port Development.

Jan O'Sullivan

Ceist:

91 Ms O'Sullivan asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the basis on which it was decided to locate the headquarters of the proposed new Shannon and Foynes Port Company in Foynes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12936/00]

Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources (Mr. Fahey)

In the published review of the seaports in the Shannon Estuary the consultants recommended that the location of the headquarters of the new single port company would be a matter for the new executive but that operational management should be located at Foynes while Limerick should house the administrative and commercial responsibilities.

My view as a shareholder was that a speedy determination was needed as to where the headquarters and executive location for the new port company should be. The reality is that out of the combined business of the two companies the facilities over which the most business influence can be exerted by the new single port company is at Foynes. Also, the thrust of Government policy is away from centralisation in the major towns and cities. I explained this fully to the boards and management of the two port companies when I visited them recently.

As the Deputy is aware, I recently announced the establishment of a five member implemen tation board to initiate the process of overseeing the transition to a new single port company. There will be close liaison between the implementation board and the advisory boards of the existing two port companies regarding all major stages of the implementation phase in order that both will have an opportunity to express their views.

As I have already stated while my view is that the headquarters would be in Foynes, other requirements regarding possible presences in Limerick and Foynes would be matters for the implementation board.