Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)

I thank Deputy Reilly for bringing me on a tour of his constituency and the various issues arising there. All the matters raised in respect of the ports, the abandonment of dredgers and so on, can be taken into account. Legislation exists to deal with these matters but is probably not effective. During the election campaign I was shown what is happening there. The harbours Bill will provide an opportunity for us to see if that can be improved.

Before a major port such as Bremore can be developed it must go through a full planning process which must take into account its effect on traffic and the neighbourhood generally. Unless there is sufficient road and rail infrastructure to the port there will be little point in providing it. I am interested in advancing the outer orbital route. It would be important from the economic and environmental points of view.

Dublin Port Company is a semi-State company that operates like other companies we have discussed and no doubt will discuss later, and makes its own decisions. I will not direct it on the commercial decisions it must make. The study aims to take into account the port and its place in Dublin. The Deputy is right to say that it is crucial to our economic growth and development. A significant amount of our trade goes through Dublin Port. It does, however, need further capacity but I do not intend to decide on its location.

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