Ms Philomena Poole:

I want to address the issues raised by Deputy Ellis, one of which related to fears people may have about the issue. I refer specifically to Dún Laoghaire. We have a very good working relationship with the port and have been involved over time in the development of the cruise initiative. Members would be aware that the port has evolved over a long period through many different models. The transition group we have established is working in conjunction with members from our organisation and from the port company to go through some of the issues that might emerge over time. That is building on the good relationship with the port, and therefore any fears that might arise would be more than addressed as part of that process.

As a local authority, we would be very anxious that there would be clarity in the legislation. That is our main area of concern, particularly regarding executive and reserved functions, in that it would be apparent which areas fall into which of those functions.

On the extension of the limits, that is very much about attracting a particular size of ship into Ireland and ensuring that the cruise business is not lost to the country. I will ask my colleague, Richard Shakespeare, to address some of the concerns the Deputy raised about the business models and what might happen about that because he has done a considerable amount of work on it.