Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 22 March 2017
36. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the discussions or communications he has had with Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company or Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council with regard to the future governance of Dún Laoghaire Harbour; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14068/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraDún Laoghaire Harbour Company is designated under National Ports Policy for transfer to Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council.
Since the transfer process commenced, senior officials from my Department have met with Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company, and the CE and senior officials of Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council, on a number of occasions, to clarify issues raised and to advise on the transfer process. My Department is kept apprised of developments as part of the regular communications that take place between the company and shareholder.
Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council procured consultants to conduct due diligence of the Dun Laoghaire Harbour Company. The completed due diligence report was presented by the Chief Executive to the Council meeting held on 9 January 2017. The Council has engaged a risk and finance consultant to produce a Risk Assessment on the main issues identified in the report. This will enable the Council to fully understand the implications of models of transfer and the responsibility that will transfer in financial and other terms. I understand that both the Council and the port are engaging with the risk assessor. Officials from my Department also recently met with the risk assessor to give the shareholder perspective on National Ports Policy and to explain the different models of transfer.
The process of transferring governance of Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company to Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council is progressing. However, the future governance and operational structures of the port are primarily matters for agreement between the Council and the port company. When the risk assessment process is completed, I expect matters to progress towards agreeing a model and a date of transfer.
