Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I recognise the changes Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company has made and acknowledge many of the difficulties the company has faced. It has not been easy work. The company has put considerable effort into dealing with its financial status. In view of this, while it was known that there was this possibility, for it to actually materialise is a great disappointment for everyone involved in the port and the wider community.

The Deputy asked how we could make progress to deal with the matter. I confirm that it is my intention to ensure the relevant legislation will be brought before the Oireachtas before the summer.

I will work with the Whip to get as much time as possible to engage with everybody here on it.

Regarding Deputy Mitchell O'Connor's proposals for a task force, I would like to meet with the board first and will keep everybody informed of when I will do that. It appears that the proposed framework for integrating the harbour company into the local authority has even more relevance and urgency because of what we are now dealing with. I have heard the Deputy speak on a number of occasions about the challenges Dún Laoghaire faces and how integral the port is. The best way to respond to this is by the firm integration of the port with the local authority and everybody working in unison to respond to this challenge.

I am aware of the progress Dún Laoghaire and Dún Laoghaire port company have made in respect of the cruise ship business. I have met them twice since coming into office and they have pointed to the rapid growth in this area, as Deputy Mitchell O'Connor has indicated and which I recognise, but also their plans for the future and the stability they already have in bookings for this year and beyond.

The matter of the diaspora centre has been raised with me by many colleagues. I am considering how to move this project forward because many different groups across the country believe it should be located in various places. I am weighing up how that can be responded to, but as the Deputy referenced earlier, a cornerstone of our response to what is happening to the port is supporting people in finding diverse and wide-ranging sources of income. That is why I will meet the board, we will have a discussion about what has happened and we will see if mutually agreeable next steps can be made to respond to the challenge the Deputy has outlined to the House.

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