Michael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I wish Ms McCaffrey the best of luck. I am a new Deputy in the House and not as experienced as the wily old people beside me. Do staff from Dublin Port work together with the various people in all the ports around Ireland? Do they meet up? Do they have a common vision for the ports of the country? Is Ms McCaffrey simply punching for her neck of the woods around Dublin, which seems to be getting much of the infrastructure and money? I am afraid that at the expense of other parts of Ireland, for example, the ports in Cork, Foynes, Galway and Greenore, we are pushing a focus on to one section, perhaps at the cost of jobs, infrastructure or a more balanced Ireland.

I am aware that there are designations around the area of Dublin Port. I have followed several cases in Germany. Ms McCaffrey referred to Dublin Port growing to twice its current size. Does she envisage the designations blocking the progress that Dublin Port envisages if it is to grow twice as big?

I have noticed another thing about Dublin Port. It does not seem to be grabbing the nettle in the line of wanting live shipping of cattle. Other places are doing it but there seems to be a reluctance in Dublin Port to facilitate this work.