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

Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett contended that if the port was to be converted to a corporate entity, it would be separate from the local authority. That will not be the case. It will come within the local authority's remit and the best evidence I can offer is the fact that the single shareholder of such a port, were it to be brought inside a local authority unit, would be the local authority. There is, of course, a difference between the two options outlined in the Bill, otherwise there would be no need to describe them. There is a clear difference and I have always outlined it. The Minister of the day will make a decision on what the integration method should be when the due diligence process relating to the ports is complete.

With regard to Deputy Mary Mitchell O'Connor's question on local property tax and rates, I will not answer about the position in Dún Laoghaire specifically, but I will give a general response. The general answer to the question is "Yes". I have been dealing for a significant period with local authorities and representatives saying they want to run the ports themselves, that they want them inside their local authority areas. If they have plans for what they want to do when bringing them inside their areas, they will have to be paid for. That is why I asked Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett if he or his party had plans to develop Dún Laoghaire Harbour and who would pay for its development? What is his party's view on how the local authority would pay for it? The last time I checked, the Deputy wanted to abolish local property tax; I am not sure if that remains his view. Clearly, such a decision would have a radical effect on the ability of a local authority to develop any asset in which it was the shareholder.

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