Tom Morrissey (Progressive Democrats)

Over the past few months, the Irish Exporters Association and many others have made the case that Dublin Port will shortly experience capacity issues in bringing imports in and getting our exports off the island. Discussions are ongoing as to how capacity issues can be resolved and whether Dublin Port should increase its size or look elsewhere for development. One of our best kept national secrets is the plan by Drogheda Port to relocate to a place called Bremore, just north of Balbriggan. As Ireland's port capacity problems could be more than adequately solved through the development at Bremore, I call for a debate with the Minister of State, Deputy Gallagher, on the Government's ports policy.

I concur with the sentiments of my colleagues across the floor of the House on the proposed reorganisation of Irish Ferries. I fear that if restructuring goes ahead in the manner proposed, it will set a deadly precedent. If a company can offer very generous redundancy packages 60% of which will ultimately be recouped from the State, it means the State will be complicit in the form of reorganisation proposed.