Mr. Des Whelan:

Glanbia does use the port but not for all its exports. The company is currently trialling a new milk production facility which will open in the new year. The port has tendered for the business associated with that. Again, however, we are talking about big logistics and the decision may well rest with the transport company that looks after Glanbia's logistics. I cannot anticipate the outcome of the tender, but we will do all we can to secure the business from Glanbia.

Regarding the cruise business, I met last week with representatives of the main agents for cruises coming into Waterford. Their view is that we could get more of this business. There were 277 cruise visits to Ireland this year, of which Waterford got only 17. In 1996, by contrast, there were only 100 such visits to Ireland, but Waterford got 24 of them. We certainly can do more to improve our performance. Tidying up the North Quays is an important step as we seek to bring as many of those cruise ships as possible into the city. The agents to whom I spoke argued that there is particular potential in trying to develop visits from European cruises, in a context where almost all of the 17 ships that came to Waterford this year were American. The cruise market is booming in Europe and there is scope to encourage more of them to visit Ireland. We will be working with everybody involved to ensure that happens.

People want the port to be successful and to emerge as a driving force in the economy in Waterford.

It needs to be seen as that as well. There is a lot of work to do but I am confident. The Minister made a point of meeting all the board members individually. I have been impressed. I think we will be a good team and will get things done.