Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I ask Ms McCarthy to allow me to finish my point. There are new areas for customs and excise and agriculture. In addition, the port now has a huge inland port near Dublin Airport. To say that no efforts are being made to remove activity from the port is not correct. Very significant efforts are being made. Representatives of the port explained to me that the dock is needed when cargo comes in because people and industries depend on those goods. They cannot tie up the berth for cruise ships forever. That is their problem. They would love to do so, but the economy is their priority. I hear what the witnesses are saying and I acknowledge the great importance of the cruise ship industry. There is a significant need for them to meet the key decision makers in the port to get clarity on all of these issues. If the committee can facilitate that, it should do so.