Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)

I am sure the Minister has read the McCarthy report, which has yet to be discussed in the Dáil. It "recommends that privatisation of some or all of the ports should be considered, ideally after the recommended restructuring". I would like an assurance from the Minister and the Government that there will be absolutely no question of selling Dún Laoghaire Harbour, which the Minister correctly indicated is one of the most important amenity harbours in the country. It is of historic, cultural, heritage and economic value to Dún Laoghaire, a town that is in considerable economic difficulty. I would like the Minister to assure us there will be no consideration given to the sale of the harbour.

The Minister referred to the efforts of the harbour company to reduce its cost base. Some aspects of that are worrying and might imply to workers and locals that the restructuring prior to possible privatisation is already under way. For example, five harbour police had their jobs axed recently, with a detrimental effect on the security to walkers and users of the port. Other workers were supposed to enjoy the protection of the Harbours Act, having been transferred when the port moved from direct Government ownership to semi-State status. They were given protection under the Harbours Act in terms of pay and conditions but were recently asked to accept a 35% pay cut, while the management of the harbour company is refusing to entertain pay cuts for management.

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