Vol. 538 No. 2
50 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the level of activity through Dublin Port; the comparisons with other capital cities ports, including their land banks to accommodate such activity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16986/01]
On 3 March 1997 Dublin Port Company was corporatised and since then 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 operation and financial performance.
Dublin Port Company is a multimodal port catering for all cargo modes, as well as for passengers. Dublin Port handled some 21 million tonnes in 2000, an increase of 5% on the previous year.
The following table provides a comparison of activity between Dublin Port and other capital city ports:
|
Port |
Throughput in million tonnes (2000) |
|
Dublin |
21 |
|
Amsterdam |
64 |
|
Port of London Authority |
48 |
|
Lisbon |
12 |
|
Oslo |
6 |
51 Mr. Aylward asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the steps he intends to take to prevent the docking of a ship (details supplied) in Dublin and Cork ports in the near future in view of recent media reports which would indicate that its objective is to transport women to international waters to terminate pregnancies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17601/01]
Under the Harbours Act, 1996, the ports of Dublin and Cork were corporatised as commercial State port companies with an independent statutory remit to manage, control and operate their harbours.
All matters in relation to safety, navigation and ship berthage within harbours subject to the provisions of the Harbours Act, 1996, are the statutory responsibility of the port companies concerned.
Following consultation with Dublin Port Company and the Port of Cork Company in relation to docking of the ship in question, I am advised that there are no grounds in the applicable harbours legislation which would entitle them to refuse entry to the ship.
My Department has advised the Department of Health and Children accordingly. Any matters relating to the possible carriage of passengers by this vessel will be dealt with in accordance with the relevant provisions of merchant shipping legislation.
