Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)

I confirm that I have recently received representations from the Association of County and City Councils regarding proposals contained within the Harbours (Amendment) Bill 2008 on the reform of port company board structures. The Harbours (Amendment) Bill 2008 recently commenced its passage through the Oireachtas and is currently in the Seanad. The primary purpose of the Bill is to give effect to certain aspects of the ports' policy statement, which was launched in January 2005 and is available to view on my Department's website. One of the key recommendations of the statement was the need to enhance port company performance through reform of the board structure. These recommendations are the basis for the provisions on board structure, which are contained in the Harbours (Amendment) Bill 2008. There will be ample opportunity to debate these proposals and other related matters during the passage of the Bill through the Oireachtas. We are currently on Committee Stage of the Bill in the Seanad.

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