David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

11 o’clock

The situation is extraordinarily serious. Planning in place in the Port of Cork runs out next year and it may be very hard to extend it or get new planning. The rubber is hitting the road very quickly because the port needs funding very soon to expand. Will the Minister of State tell me where that money is going to come from? That is the bottom line here. We were told the port needs up to €120 million to develop properly. With Doyle Shipping Group off the pitch now, it means there will be no facility on the south coast, unless the Port of Cork can get moving. Does the Minister of State agree?

The Port of Cork needs Government support. Above all, it needs clarity and confidence pretty soon because time is running out. Talk of ISIF, the EIB and so on is all very well but what is needed are certainty and decisions. Can the port get the funding and, if so, from where? It is a State company and I understand state aid is an issue. Unless clarity is given, the fantastic plans we have for offshore wind may on the south coast may not be realised. That is why I tabled this question and it is why I raised the matter as a Topical Issue recently. I am still waiting for answers.

See this speech in context