Cecilia Keaveney (Fianna Fail)

I am pleased to speak for a few minutes on this important topic. As an island nation we do not have a sufficient number of debates on marine issues. It is disappointing that Members are not queuing up to talk about them, as we do in regard to many other topics, and use the facility of Second Stage to not only address the Bill but introduce other issues. I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Devins, to the House.

Having said that, the first point I would make in a debate on marine matters is that politicians, never mind those involved in the marine industry, have a difficult life in that the marine is under the aegis of seven Ministers and Ministers of State. When pursuing particular issues one finds that harbours come under the aegis of one Minister, inland rivers come under the aegis of another while another Minister has responsibility for the seas. It is difficult to follow particular projects when there are so many people responsible for the area of the marine.

On the Bill before the House, I was interested to hear the various topics raised in the debate to do with west Cork, Kerry and Waterford. It seemed to be one of those debates on the region south of the line from Dublin to Galway but I must ask what is in it for me? I do not ask that in a personal sense but as a representative from Donegal. What is in the Bill that will reflect the fact that we are surrounded by water? I live in a peninsula and the Londonderry Port and Harbour Commissioners is the nearest recognised port authority to me. I live close to the mouth of the Foyle where many of the big boats that come in every day to go to Londonderry Port and Harbour Commissioners at Lisahally must spend one, two or three days waiting for the right tide to allow them do that. They often do not get the right tide and must wait for smaller boats to come down and unload them in the middle of the Foyle.

What do we intend to do to develop the new port authorities? Are we happy to leave things the way they are currently? Are we proactive in terms of developing our marine activity? On the number of boats coming in to the Foyle, the vast majority, approximately 90%, leave empty. What are we doing to promote the idea in my region of not only importing but exporting? That is the reason I raise the issue of ministerial responsibility. This relates to the whole issue of recognising our waters as an economic resource. I refer to commercial freight, luxury cruise liners, international and local yachting opportunities, local rowing clubs and the ongoing fishing activities. One cannot speak about a port without considering all the activities that go on there. Greencastle Harbour is the host port of the pilot boat, the Greencastle car ferry to Magilligan and the local white fish fleet. Many oyster and mussel farmers are based there. There is a coastguard in Greencastle, as well as a search and rescue service. Some yachts are moored there at the moment, as a consequence of mooring difficulties elsewhere. I wish to declare an interest in this regard — I row into Greencastle Harbour during my ventures between Moville and Greencastle on the odd Sunday. The Foyle punts also use the harbour. There is a great deal of activity there.

I was interested to hear Senators speaking about the concept of a port authority extending its reach to another area. It was suggested that people in County Donegal might link up with people in the North to make their economic entity more realistic. Like Senator Ellis, I would like to know whether anything is being done at cross-Border level. Is the port authority in Derry working with its counterpart in Donegal to ensure that the potential of Greencastle Harbour, or Carrickarory pier in Moville, is developed? A small addition to the existing pier at Carrickarory would provide access to natural deep-water berthage, thereby enabling many ships that cannot travel up the Foyle to offload at that point.

Senator Boyle suggested that railway stations are necessary at our ports. I do not mind if he wants to develop a railway line between Derry and Moville. I suppose it might have happened in the past. There does not seem to be much potential for it at the moment. Some €36 million is being invested in Greencastle Harbour. A breakwater is being developed and safer facilities are being provided to benefit those who use the harbour. It is a matter for the local authority.

It is great that we are giving local authorities responsibility for looking after our ports. If we give them responsibility for the less economically viable harbours, however, they will not have the same money-generating opportunities. Perhaps I do not understand the system correctly. The harbours to which I refer have the same maintenance costs. They will have to ask the Department of the marine for money to upgrade or maintain slipways. The slipway in Moville is in serious trouble. There will be problems when it comes to getting co-financing from the local authority. We are giving the local authority more and more responsibility, while expecting it to provide 25% co-financing. It is wrong to suggest that this Bill does not have any financial implications. It will have financial implications for the local authorities which will be given responsibility for additional harbours. I know that from my first-hand experience of Greencastle Harbour. We had a serious battle when we tried to get Donegal County Council to provide 25% of the €36 million the harbour needed. Thankfully, the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Deputy Ó Cuív, came partly to the rescue in that regard.

I wish to speak about public representation on boards. I believe that many public representatives have as much knowledge of, and interest in, these matters as anybody else. We are more accountable then anyone else because we can be kicked out at each election. I accept that people sometimes agree to sit on certain committees because it is the done thing. When I was a member of a local authority, I did not get involved in things unless I was interested in them. I lost money because the amount of time I put into some meetings could not be matched by the amount of recompense that was available in those days for travelling to them. I urge the Government to move slowly when considering whether to abolish public representation on boards of this nature. I agree with those who said it would be fair enough if the reduction in public representation on boards were proportionate to the reduction in the overall size of boards. We should not exclude public representatives altogether.

I would very much like to see a single overall marine ministry established again. Equally, the remit of our ports should not be explicitly commercial. They should have a commercial perspective, but they should also be concerned with ferries, cruises and leisure and recreation. A great deal of opportunity is being missed. Ireland is an island nation. One can count on one hand the number of people who use the seas and waterways in most parts of the country. To date, we have not taken advantage of the opportunity provided to us.

A Member of the House asked whether the involvement of An Bord Pleanála in some aspects of this sector will speed things up or slow things down. I have been trying for many years to secure permission for the development of a breakwater in Buncrana, for the exclusive benefit of the RNLI. If the breakwater is used for other purposes after it is put in place, the lease will have to be renegotiated and changed. The delay in taking action in that regard is scandalous. I remind whoever is responsible for bringing projects of this nature to a conclusion that this project is very important.

I am interested in the concept of healthy competition. As I said at the outset, the potential of harbours in my local area like Greencastle, Moville and Buncrana to do more than they are doing at present is being stymied. The harbours in question are on Lough Foyle and Lough Swilly. The Londonderry Port and Harbour Commissioners have some responsibilities in respect of Lough Foyle. It seems that ne'er the twain shall meet. I would like this opportunity to be taken so that County Donegal can gain from the potential that exists.