Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The Minister is confirming what we already know through freedom of information letters, which disclosed that the Dún Laoghaire harbour board had failed to obtain ministerial consent for certain activities prior to commencement. Can we take it as a fact that the Minister or his predecessor has refused to give consent for certain activities?

Could the Minister also advise regarding an issue that was flagged by a civil servant in October 2014, namely, concerns around the sustainability of the company's corporate plan, which included a €50 million diaspora centre, a cruise-liner berth at a price tag of €15 million and a €2.5 million urban beach? I will quote from that letter, which said that "our consideration of this latest revised plan has increased departmental concerns as regards the company's approach towards managing the short- and medium-term sustainability of the company as a whole". Could the Minister bring us up to date on those revelations? He has stated that he has met with certain directors or certain people in the company. Is he now happy that the proposals the Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company has in place are sustainable and viable? Is he happy that the appropriate corporate governance is in place and being adhered to?

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