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

I have listened to the witnesses and respect what they say, but let me get my points across. I will be happy to debate them with the witnesses.

To say that Dublin Port is not concerned is not true. To say that it is not trying to find an alternative for the cruise liners is also not true, because it is. The question is whether we can make that work faster. Dublin Port is saying that it has to provide new facilities at North Wall and so on and it would require co-financing or long-term financial guarantees from cruise lines. That is an indicator of looking for business commitments from your colleagues to develop this facility.

I want to make the point that Dublin Port is doing a great deal of good and has been very productive to help the cruise liner business.