Brian Walsh (Galway West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I apologise for being late. I thank Mr. Lawlor for coming in this morning to speak to the committee. Perhaps some of these questions have been answered already. If they have, Mr. Lawlor can ignore them.

In terms of the company and its financial performance, I note Mr. Lawlor is a member of the audit committee and he is well equipped to manage that side of matters. Is the company profitable? What turnover has it achieved in recent years and is it increasing or diminishing? What sources of income has the company other than port activity? Are there property rentals? For example, Galway Port is heavily reliant on car parking. Has the company returned a dividend to the State at any stage in recent years?

In terms of the new ports policy being adopted, there are suggestions that some ports may be downgraded and that some of the larger ports will be seen as strategically important and referred to in that context in the new ports policy. Where would Mr. Lawlor like to see New Ross being positioned in that ports policy? How would he like to see it being described? Obviously, it will not be competing with Foynes, Cork or Dublin. What will be the port's future role in terms of contribution to the wider economy?