John Perry
Ceist:75 Deputy John Perry asked the Minister for Transport his views on the recommendations contained in the KPMG Report on regional harbours and ports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32943/07]
Amharc ar fhreagraThursday, 6 December 2007
Ceisteanna (77)
Freagraí scríofa
In 1998, KPMG Consulting were contracted to undertake a review of the State's regional harbours operating under the Harbours Act 1946. The intention of the review was to chart the way forward for these facilities by setting out a long term, coherent and sustainable development plan for their future.
The review stated that the continued operation of the regional harbours under the outdated provisions of the Harbours Act 1946 is unsustainable on the grounds of good governance. The review recommended that the ports should either be corporatised as commercial State port companies, merged with an existing port company or transferred to the relevant local authorities.
The Ports Policy Statement, which was published in 2005, reiterated the view that most of these regional harbours would best achieve their potential through their transfer to local authority ownership. Where it was not possible to reach agreement on transfer to local authorities, the option of sale of the harbours would be considered. In harbours where significant commercial traffic exists, consideration would be given to bringing such harbours under the control of a port company.
My Department is working with the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, to advance the implementation of the Ports Policy Statement with regard to the transfer of the designated regional harbours to their respective local ownership. My Department has provided funding to protect the fabric of these regional harbours for the last number of years.
In 2006, Sligo Harbour and Annagassan Harbour transferred to Local Authority Control. Dingle Harbour was designated a Fishery Harbour Centre in 2007.
Question No. 76 answered with QuestionNo. 12.