Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)

The Minister's party did well there at the last election. Nevertheless, will this now mean that Mornington, Baltray and Termonfeckin, if Duff's Farm is located in Termonfeckin, are, by definition, harbour or port areas? If so, what does this imply in respect of local development plans? A High Court case was taken arising from the limits of the Drogheda harbour authority some years ago and its limit was fixed to a particular location. I wish to make clear that I do not oppose the new location of the port at Bremore. However, how will the new designation as a harbour area affect Baltray, the area around Termonfeckin, around east Meath and Mornington and Bettystown in particular, where thousands of new houses have been built and in which people are living in an area that is zoned residential at present? Has this been done in consultation with local authorities? I ask this question because when one no longer serves on a local authority, one is not fully familiar with what is happening in respect of such issues. However, it is an important point that I must make. While I have an open mind on the answer, this will affect two aspects. The Minister is extending the existing boundaries and changing the location. There is support for the new location at Bremore but there will be total opposition to extending it to residential communities, whose amenities will be under significant and serious threat, particularly in the areas of Baltray golf course, Laytown, Bettystown and Mornington.

There are positive aspects to the Bill. I accept the bona fides of many of the principles but what is at the core of the Bill is the effective removal of public representatives from harbour authorities and we do not accept this. I support the Minister's point that at present, commercial operators in the port can be on the board. This legislation will disbar them specifically but it is the intention that the business community will be part of the membership of the harbour authority. My colleagues have points to make about different locations.

It is our intention to debate these matters fully on Committee Stage. I ask the Minister to reconsider the removal of public representatives. The worst of all worlds is that, if the Bill is passed, the Minister will appoint one member and this creates problems where there are adjoining counties and local authorities. It may help the Minister if someone in his Department examines this. If one of three local authorities is selected, the other two will not be represented even though they have a significant and real interest in the development of the authority.

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