Seán Kyne (Galway West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am not a member of the committee either but I am a former director of Galway Harbour Company. I spent a number of years as a member of Galway County Council. Like Deputy Walsh I fully support the plans for the redevelopment of Galway harbour and have made a submission to that effect to An Bord Pleanála. It is regrettable that Deputy O'Donovan chose to leave the meeting. Getting parochial is fine and he is fully entitled to support his local port of Shannon Foynes but I always believe that to promote oneself one does not have to attack somebody else and he tried to do a hatchet job on Galway. I agree with my colleague that he must be concerned about Galway getting planning approval or perhaps he is acting on behalf of Shannon Foynes in that they are concerned that the Galway expansion would go ahead.

I addressed the Merchant Shipping Bill in the Dáil last week, when I invited the new Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Paschal Donohoe, to come to Galway to see the plans. He indicated that he would be happy to do so and I presume that can be arranged with the witnesses. The Galway Harbour Company has been hindered by its current gates. The potential of this development for the port is astronomical, not just in increased shipping but also in the tourism sector and the cruise liners. Other ports could not compete with that because Galway port is at the heart of the city. It is within walking distance or a very short bus journey from Eyre Square for tourists. We have seen many tourism initiatives in recent years such as the Wild Atlantic Way and similar. The captain spoke about the Volvo ocean race which was a huge success. Part of that success was due to the fact that the port is at the heart of the city. It would not have worked if the port was 50 miles away. People within the city could come out and experience the Volvo ocean race.

Will port policy hinder planning permission or, if secure planning permission is secured, will this strengthen the case for having the port policy changed? Will the envisaged co-operation with Galway City Council help in terms of redevelopment of the inner dock, which has great tourism potential? Is the funding dependent on a move to tier 2 or are there any alternatives? If tiers 1 to 3, inclusive, are not used as criteria, what should be used? Mr. Bradshaw referred on the change of status to a mechanism to allow for the port to be upgraded to a higher level and pointed out that no such facility is included in the proposed legislation. On what basis or according to what criteria might this be allowed? Should it be based on expansion plans, for example? There has to be something to go to Government with and expansion plans would be one possibility. I reiterate my support for the plans. It is hugely important for Galway city and the surrounding areas that this plan goes ahead. I am confident that it can.