Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)

Members had a good discussion on this issue on Committee Stage and I will reiterate what I said at that time. Section 28 of the Harbours Act 1996 contains a detailed list of requirements regarding the information a port company must return to the Minister of the end of each accounting year. It includes a statement of all significant developments that occurred during the year, including any acquisitions or disposals of land, as well as a statement that the relevant guidelines issued by the Government or the Minister for Finance in respect of their accounts and financial affairs have been adhered to. The specific provision in the area to which the Deputy referred, which relates to the disposal of land, states explicitly that disposal by means of a lease must be also included in the annual report. This stipulation exists.

I take the points made by the Deputy. We had a brief conversation following the debate on Committee Stage. I intend to use my existing powers to request the port companies to furnish me with a full account of the status of all leases held by them. It can be difficult to get the kind of information one wants from State and semi-State companies. If it does not work on a voluntary basis, I will include it in a future item of legislation so that we achieve what we are trying to achieve.

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