Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 11 May 2010
203 Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide details of the national co-ordination of capital developments undertaken by various Irish ports with a view to ensuring that each port’s plans are consistent with the overall national policy on ports and that the appropriate level of capacity is developed. [18780/10]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe provision of adequate and efficient port capacity is an important element of ports policy and my Department has commissioned a number of studies on the matter over the last decade. The Ports Policy Statement published in 2005 outlines that the provision and funding of port capacity is best driven by the commercial port companies themselves in response to the demands of the market. The Dublin Port Study carried out by my Department under the NDP and published in August 2009 provides the most recent analysis of future traffic and capacity projections at our commercial seaports. The study highlighted the need to develop significant additional port capacity by 2025 — 2030. Such is the nature of the expected future demand, the capacity required will necessitate the provision of significant developments, such as that envisaged at Dublin or Bremore, in addition to other projects around the State currently under consideration. My Department continues to monitor both the capacity situation at our ports and the continuing progress on the various development proposals at our ports.
204 Deputy John Deasy asked the Minister for Transport the number of shipping movements through the Port of Waterford from 2005 to date in 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19084/10]
Amharc ar fhreagra205 Deputy John Deasy asked the Minister for Transport the tonnage of cargo passing through the Port of Waterford from 2005 to date in 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19085/10]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 204 and 205 together.
The Central Statistics Office publishes a comprehensive annual report entitled "Statistics of Port Traffic". This report covers such matters as the number and size of vessels and the gross tonnage and type of tonnage handled at each port in the State, including the Port of Waterford. This report is available on the Office's website, www.cso.ie, which includes archived reports dating back to 1998. The figures for the preceding year are usually published in July, and figures for 2009 should be available then. Figures for 2010 are not yet available. The Irish Maritime Development Office also publishes shipping traffic statistics on a quarterly basis and these are available on its website www.imdo.ie.
