Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)

We owe them a great debt of gratitude. It behoves all of us on whatever side of the House, regardless of the voting intentions of persons on State boards, not to seek to undermine their work and input on behalf of the State.

The important aspect of the Bill is to ensure that the commercial ethos to which I referred develops. Of the various ports, the port with which I am most familiar is the Shannon Foynes Port Company where there is considerable potential for development. Notwithstanding the recent difficulties which the Minster referred to and which have been alluded to by others, the potential for development in and around that port is great. It is a particularly deep port that has not been utilised to the fullest extent possible. There is great potential in the future and this is clear because of the current economic situation in which we find ourselves. It is often difficult for some to understand why we should be making provisions for increased activity or usage. However, as Deputy Tommy Broughan stated, our current economic situation is very much part of the cyclical approach to the economy and I have no doubt that over time it will emerge again. It is important that we are putting in place the foundations and the legislative framework to allow these companies to seek and develop that commercial mandate.

On the Shannon Foynes Port Company, there is great potential usage not only from a freight perspective, but also from tourism which has largely been unexploited. There is an opportunity to develop a much greater working relationship between the Shannon Foynes Port Company and Shannon Airport. The two, working together, could put in place the necessary infrastructure to allow the mid-west region to be seen as a hub for the distribution of cargo.

Up until recently a significant amount of freight has emanated from Asia, particularly from China, and entered both Europe and the United States. There is, in my view, potential for the Shannon Foynes Port Company to provide a significant resource to accept the freight inwards from Asia and be part of breaking down the cargo, either for onward shipping to Europe or the United States or, more particularly, for onward air transfer using Shannon Airport. There is the potential to develop a significant hub in the region and that will require vision. It will require the involvement of the various stakeholders. I would hope that over time the passage of this legislation will allow the board of that port to work with the Shannon Airport Authority on how the significant infrastructure of the port can be best utilised not just to generate business, but also to reach the tourism potential of the region.

As I stated, it is a deep port. Its access to the west and the mid-west could provide a useful base for the further development of tourism. Over the past number of years Dublin has seen a significant growth in the number of visits by various cruise liners. There is no reason the west coast, and the facilities it provides through Limerick and Ennis, and, indeed, further south into Kerry, could not be appropriate locations to provide the various requirements of people who travel on cruise liners. The fact that the region includes the Cliffs of Moher, one of the finest tourism spectacles anywhere in the world, would make it an attractive offering to people who use these cruise liners or travel on such holidays. It is an area which needs to be exploited.

However, that will only come about if we can put in place the necessary incentives to allow the boards of directors of the various harbours to think outside the box in a way which enables them to develop their businesses along commercial lines and not see themselves as merely operators and stevedores, and also to develop a much greater level of commercialism. In doing so, Shannon Foynes Port Company can become part of another stated Government policy, that of balanced regional development. While there has been considerable investment in infrastructure in recent years, particularly in roads and rail infrastructure, the Minister has also played a major role, together with the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív, in the reopening of the western rail corridor. This is another significant piece of infrastructure which could go hand-in-hand with the development of the Shannon Foynes Port Company and that type of approach has the capacity to allow the mid-west and west to act as a counter balance to the east coast. It would also assist in achieving greater balance of development across the country, taking away some of the pressures on the east coast's port infrastructure. It would put in place a necklace of critical infrastructure on the west coast, allowing the region to develop. This would also assist in the country's social and infrastructure development becoming more balanced and cohesive. The Bill is important in addressing these issues.

It is important the port companies work together. Although the Minister referred to competition, it must be noted that the island is relatively small and we must ensure the ports co-operate with each other. I am interested in the make-up of the port boards. Many of those on the boards have done sterling work in developing various ports. It is important that we continue to appoint the right people. It is their qualities and standards that will develop the ports.

I welcome the Bill's changes to pilotage districts and charges which were necessary for some time. This will facilitate the successful completion of proposals to other investments in the port companies outside of their existing harbour limits and outside of the State. The tie-up of various harbours with ones outside of the State has the potential to develop a much greater level of business than before. It was good to see Dublin Port's approach to this and I hope others will follow suit. Through these strategic partnerships, they can make various different contacts to develop port.

Will the Minister examine a proposal from the Institute of Engineers in Ireland in its blueprint, Looking Towards 2030, to build a bridge from Shannon Foynes Port to Shannon Airport. It is appropriate to give such large scale projects consideration in these economic times, when we are seeking various initiatives to stimulate economic growth and to reduce costs in the economy. They have several benefits, creating jobs and providing infrastructure for future development. A development of this nature between Shannon Foynes Port and Shannon Airport could develop a significant hub for freight and tourism.

I hope the Bill will have a safe passage through the House.

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