Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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I thank the witnesses, some or all of whom were at the transport committee meeting last week. There is obviously a keen focus on our ports and their importance. I thank them for that.

In regard to the hurdles and barriers that need to be straightened out in order to deliver on the potential that is there, there are several fora. Government pointed to the offshore wind delivery task force. There are subcommittees of that to focus on ports. What is the experience of that forum? Do the witnesses here before us today who at the transport committee last week believe their voices are heard and that the Government is attuned to the needs of the ports? Going back then to the issue of funding, the scale of funding that is required and the vehicles that are used elsewhere and may be used in this context, we raised with the Government the issue of direct State funding. It was mentioned that this may not meet what is required here. Other jurisdictions and municipalities have found a way to support ports. As time is of the essence, will the witnesses touch on their engagement and the type of financial vehicles that will deliver their objectives and how close they are?