Mr. Pat Mangan:

The earlier transfer of 13 harbours to local authority control does not provide much of a precedent. As has been noted, the ports in question are much smaller than the ports to be transferred under the Bill, which are significant bulk ports and important niche players in areas such as petroleum. Dún Laoghaire, for example, is an important ferry port. Given the difference in scale, it is unlikely that the earlier transfers will not serve as a useful guide.

Deputies Harrington and Ellis asked whether we have any concerns about the effect of the proposals on the ports.

Our concern is that they are able to act in the same way as any other commercial State body. That is particularly the case where they are competing with what I call the big beasts. The tier one ports, which are very significant players, have stronger balance sheets. They need to be able to compete on a level playing field. The concern might be that if they are treated differently as regards governance and the rules that apply to them, they may well be going out with one hand or even two hands tied behind their backs in terms of being able to compete in a very challenging market. That is our primary concern and the concern I have about negative impact on port competition. It might leave them in a position where they are not playing on a level playing field because they are subject to a different set of rules. I see no reason, if they are in a commercial business, they should be treated any differently from other ports that are in that same business.