Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I am amazed by the Minister's statement that it is much better for integrated development if Galway Port comes under the remit of the local authority. To follow that logic, if it is good for Galway Port, why is it not good for the ports of Dublin, Waterford, Cork and Limerick? Why is Galway the only former gateway city for which integration of the port in the local authority is a good idea? It seems it is good for the other gateway cities to take a different approach. Why was Galway the only city that did secure tier 2 status based on its potential?

It is arrogant of the Minister to inform that, even if Galway City Council and the Galway Port Company indicate that his initial statement on this matter was a misrepresentation of their position, he will ram through his proposal. That is what he told us. I am sorry for my colleagues who represent Galway West. This seems to be similar to the type of attitude that was taken about providing a helicopter service to Carnmore.