Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent) | Oireachtas source

As the Deputy is aware, the Harbours Act 2015 provides the legislative basis for one of the key recommendations in the national ports policy, namely, that governance of the five ports of regional significance should vest in local authority led governance structures. Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company, as a port of regional significance, is designated under the policy for transfer to Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council.  The process of transferring governance and the future operational structures of the port are primarily matters for agreement between the council and Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company.

The council has procured consultants to conduct the due diligence of the port company.  While the procurement and management of the due diligence process is a matter for the council, I understand that a draft report has been recently forwarded to the port company for its consideration and comments. 

I also understand that Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company and Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council have established two transitional teams which are working on the practical issues associated with the transfer. When the due diligence process is completed, I expect that matters will progress towards agreeing a model and the timing of the transfer.

See this speech in context