Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 15 February 2018
61. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the communications he has had with Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council and-or Dún Laoghaire harbour with regard to the implementation of the Harbours Act 2015 and the transfer of ownership; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7514/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraDún Laoghaire Harbour Company, as a Port of Regional Significance, is designated under National Ports Policy 2013 for transfer to Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council. The port has no commercial shipping since 2015.
The process of transferring governance of Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company to Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council is, I understand, nearing completion. The transfer and the future operational structures of the port are primarily matters for agreement between the Council and the port.
The Chief Executive of the Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council presented the final due diligence report to Councillors at the Council meeting held on 9 January 2017. As the report raised a number of issues for further clarification, the Chief Executive (CE) engaged a risk and finance consultant to carry out a risk assessment. This will enable the Council to fully understand the implications of each model of transfer, and the responsibility that will transfer in financial and other terms.
My officials have been in touch with the port on this issue over several months. The port has engaged in the risk assessment process and in the provision of the information requested by the risk assessor.
My officials have now been informed by the Council that a draft Risk Assessment Report was recently submitted to the CE and that a special meeting of the Council is scheduled to take place on 6 March 2018 to discuss the transfer. It is expected that matters will then progress towards agreeing a model and a date for transfer.
