Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I wish Mr. Newsome the best of luck in his appointment as chairman of the port company. He obviously has an intimate knowledge of the company, having been involved in it for a number of years. That knowledge is reflected in the issue he raised about the statute and Dublin Corporation. Perhaps he should put it on the agenda for his first meeting and write to Dublin Corporation and quote the statute. Dublin City Council is fairly adept at following up commitments itself. Certainly, we should write to it about it because it is a legitimate issue.

Wicklow Port and Arklow Port sometimes remind me of old traditional golf clubs in that there is a particular group that uses them but other people do not know what happens or are afraid to get involved. I realise that is a quite simplistic view. However, when Mr. Newsome takes over as chairman he will hopefully have a very progressive board and there is an opportunity for a new beginning, although it is important to acknowledge the work the others have done in the past. Perhaps a public meeting should be held to change the mindset a little and make people in the broader area more aware, as that awareness is often lacking, of what is there, what the company is doing and that it is open for business.

If Mr. Newsome were to pick a single issue that is holding back the development of the port, aside from the obvious one he mentioned about an investor to construct the breakwater and pier, what would it be and what can the committee do to try to assist him and the port company to develop?