Noel Harrington (Cork South West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Mr. Carey for his very good and detailed presentation. The passion he has for the port, the maritime field and Galway is quite clear. Mr. Carey has a great deal of experience of the port and working in Galway. It must be disconcerting to note the strategic nature of the port in Galway and the strategic business it carries out is still shipping. I suggest the decline in shipping from 2005 to the present day needs to be addressed, not only for the good of the port but for the strategic benefit of Connacht. To compare the port in Galway to the likes of Dublin, Cork or Shannon Foynes is to downplay its important role in servicing Connacht and the west of Ireland in shipping. It facilitates business through importing and exporting.

We have a basic familiarity with the strategic plans of many of the ports. Many of them state they need to expand and relocate and Mr. Carey mentioned the possible demolition and redevelopment of Dublin Port's Seveso sites. It is a crowded house with regard to funding.

Everyone has a passion for his or her own port and wants to attract more cruise line traffic to facilitate the tourism industry, more offshore exploration traffic along the western seaboard or more marine leisure. In the event of the funding not coming through and if Galway Port, for example, wants to make the strategic decision to attract economic shipping, be it bulk goods, fuel or whatever, it may need to restrict its plans for cruise line traffic, leisure, etc. Is Mr. Carey confident that he would be able to take the difficult decision to doff the maroon jersey and don the green one? For example, if Dublin Port was expanded, it could become the fuel importing port servicing the country and Galway could become the cruise line traffic port while maintaining strategic import and export levels for Connacht. We could discuss Cork in another context. Is Mr. Carey confident that this decision could be taken and that he could bring the board with him?

In terms of Galway Port’s expansion, Mr. Carey referred to the reclamation of an extra 50 or 60 acres. It is a significant undertaking. Is he confident that day-to-day decisions at the port are taken with a view towards a potential expansion? It may not occur for ten years, given the current climate. Cruise line traffic might not be found to subsidise the port. How would that affect its day-to-day running and the way it attracted business on the markets?

As chairman, is Mr. Carey confident concerning costs? As mentioned during the last presentation, shipping will be attracted to the lowest cost base. Is Galway Port competing well for shipping? If so, why has it lost half of its shipping in seven or eight years? This stark issue needs to be addressed.

The port is strategic, not just for Galway or Connacht, but for Ireland. All of the ports in question are important. Some 90% of goods entering and leaving the country do so via the ports. The airports are more glamorous, but the heavy lifting is done by the ports. Those like Galway are strategic and of national importance. I look forward to Mr. Carey’s comments in this regard.