Mr. Brian Sheridan:

It is worth noting what is the definition of a port. A port is no different from a motorway in that it is a piece of infrastructure that facilitates the movement of goods and people. In the Galway case, it is an infrastructural deficit which makes up the shortfall in that the port has outgrown itself. Given its medieval harbour, the points raised by Deputy Boyd Barrett about heritage ports might offer new opportunities for Galway.

I believe there is too much emphasis and a bit of a hang-up on the strength of the balance sheet of the port companies when we look at these issues. In fact, it is the economic benefit that it brings to the region. Not all ports are profitable. For example, the port of Miami is propped up to the tune of €9 million each year by the city of Miami because of the benefit the 4 million passengers who run through the cruise terminal there bring to the city and the region. The ports are there for the benefit of the economics of the region rather than the balance sheet of the port company.