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

Let me emphasise that I am clear that the appropriate location for a port of this scale and location is within a local authority which, in this case, is Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown. I am well aware of the challenges that the port faces to be sustainable in the future due in no small part to the decision of Stena Sealink to consolidate its services within Dublin Port.

It is necessary that issues in relation to the development of that harbour be handled in the context of it residing within the local authority and I will be making a decision soon regarding the method within which that will happen. Alongside that, I need to introduce the Bill that will give statutory footing to the harbour policy, as I outlined earlier, and I may need to get Government agreement to do that soon.

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