Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 July 2014
792. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide details of meetings and discussions that have either happened or are scheduled with Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council regarding any and all plans for the future of Dún Laoghaire Harbour, including agendas and minutes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31484/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, National Ports Policy designates Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company as a Port of Regional Significance. The policy commits to transferring control of the five Ports of Regional Significance to more appropriate local authority led governance structures. Therefore control of Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company will transfer in due course to Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council.
The proposed transfers require amendments to the existing Harbours Acts and in August 2013 my Department published a Regulatory Impact Analysis in relation to the proposals for consultation purposes. Throughout late 2013 and early 2014 officials continued to consult relevant stakeholders during the development of the draft General Scheme of the Bill and in May Government approved the General Scheme of the Harbours (Amendment) Bill 2014 which has now been submitted to the Joint Oireachtas Committee for pre-legislative drafting scrutiny.
A copy of the General Scheme and the associated Regulatory Impact Analysis, as well as submissions received during its development, is available on my Department's website, www.dttas.ie.
Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council made two written submissions on the proposed legislation, available to view on the Department's website, and an official level meeting between the Department and Council was held on 22 November 2013 to discuss their submission and the transfer issue generally. A copy of the Department's note of the meeting will be emailed to the Deputy today through my office. Now that the General Scheme has been published officials expect there will be further meetings as the Bill progresses.
