Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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I will not be accepting this amendment. I am not accepting it for four reasons. The first of these is that the amendment prejudges the decision I am going to make. It is important that I, as Minister, and the Department have the ability to make what we believe to be the appropriate and effective decision for a port. Again, I want to make clear my hope that this Bill will be passed through the Oireachtas in a prompt manner but I do not seek to curtail debate in any way. When that happens, I will make a decision on the matter. While this process will be of assistance to me in making my decision, I want to make the decision and have the legislation, which has been in train for some time, enacted.

In regard to other issues to which the Deputy referred, I wish to make a broad point. I do not address the point to Deputy Boyd Barrett because if I do that, it would appear as if I am making the point about Dún Laoghaire port. That is not the case. I wish to make a broader point in regard to ports of regional significance. The funding and commercial needs of ports and the challenges they face will not go away. The latter will remain even when they are integrated into local authorities. I look forward to those who have been calling for the integration of these ports into the local authorities continuing that constructive, leadership approach when they then have to deal with the funding and commercial needs relating to them. The needs will remain.

The Deputy made a point in respect of commercial matters. There are matters that will continue to be of commercial sensitivity for ports. This does not mean I have a desire to keep matters secret from elected members of local authorities. If third parties feel they cannot have commercial discussions with ports in a manner that is confidential, they will not have those discussions at all. This will cause great difficulties for ports that are seeking to have discussions with third parties. Therefore, regardless of how ports are integrated into local authorities, it is important to say there will continue to be areas of commercial sensitivity that must be described as such in order to allow ports to have discussions with third parties about matters that are beneficial to the ports themselves.

On the issue of the due diligence process that is under way, I wish to make clear that this will inform the decision I make. Ultimately, I want to make the decision.