John O'Mahony (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the All-Ireland Cruise Ship Action Group for its presentation. I do not have the in-depth knowledge given of the group's representatives, but I did hear the news that the port was to restrict cruise traffic. On the face of it, something does not add up. That was my initial impression when I heard the news through the media. The group's representatives mentioned Brexit and the increased cargo. It is a great problem to have overall. It seems Dublin Port can cherry-pick whatever business it wants to have. That is what seems to be happening.

The important question is where do we to go from here. I know that it has been mentioned, but when the recession hit, tourism was the saviour of the economy. When I was Chairman of this committee, several groups appeared before it to provide welcome news. They talked about trying at every level to increase cruise traffic into Ireland. The group seems to be suggesting it has become a matter of cargo versus cruise traffic and that cargo has won out. From a Dublin Port perspective, is it more profitable?