Mr. Lorcan O'Connor:

It is referred to in the briefing document to the Minister but many of the details are left vague. Initially, we were told that the number of cruise ships would be cut back for two years and the port would then start building up the business again. However, the document indicates that the intention for 2024 to 2025 is to increase the business towards 150 ships. I do not know whether that will be done incrementally from 30 to 35 to 40 and so on. Increasing the number of ships towards 150 means nothing. There is no timescale for getting to 150 ships and there is no commitment to get back to current levels. We are now at 175 ships but the port company is talking about moving towards 150 ships. We do not know what that means. The development of a new terminal would depend on the Government committing money to the project as a piece of infrastructure for the country similar to Luas cross-city or metro north.