Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour) | Oireachtas source

Under the Harbours Act, the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport is planning to saddle Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council with liabilities of €33.5 million. As the sole shareholder, the Minister is signing Dún Laoghaire Port over to the council, which is good in and of itself, but the sting in the tail is that he is adding to the council the liabilities of the port that are estimated at €33 million. There is real concern that this level of liabilities will jeopardise a number of schemes which are under way in the council, including in the Cherrywood strategic development zone in which thousands of homes are expected to be built. Will the Taoiseach confirm when the decision is to be made and will the Government ensure this level of liabilities will not accrue to the council, as it would cause such an unimaginable demand and impact on its capital programme?

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