Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for his presentation. He mentioned the importance of the ports policy, specifically the importance of shipping to an island economy. This committee recently discussed the Government's ports policy in regard to the division of ports by tier according to their national, regional or local importance. I am sure the Minister is aware that on the west coast there is only one port of tier 1 importance, namely, Shannon-Foynes Port. In the recent past, there has been an announcement by the Galway Port Company which aspires to make a significant capital investment at its port with a view to going into almost direct competition with Shannon-Foynes, although this is probably at odds with what has been laid out in the Government's ports policy document. Is it the Department's intention to continue to support the Government's ports policy in terms of the State's investment in ports and any investment that might come down the line? Is it also its intention to continue Government policy vis-à-visGalway Port, which I understand has been categorised at a lower level than Shannon-Foynes?
I ask this because I believe what ports require at the moment is a degree of certainty. Given the significant infrastructural investment that is taking place at Foynes at present, I do not think it helpful to have a situation where there is uncertainty in regard to whether there will be one or more ports of strategic national importance on the west coast. If clarification can be given today in regard to the Minister's position and the Department's position, namely, that investment in tier 1 ports will be identified and will continue as laid down in the ports policy document that was published, that would be very helpful.