Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)

We are discussing ports and port companies, not smaller harbours around the country such as Bantry Bay. This section amends the power of a Minister to alter the limits of a company's harbour. It sets out the principles and policies to which the Minister should adhere when extending the harbour limits. Previously this was done by ministerial order and there have been a few court cases about this sort of issue, not specifically referring to harbour limits or ports but to the sort of judgments given under the Cityview Press action and the McCreevy court rulings. It is decided that this is being put into legislation and the principles by which the Minister should consider a request are being amplified here. The guiding principles that are being put in for the first time would outline what has to be considered. If Senator Cummins likes, I will consider his amendment further before the next Stage but I do not think it is necessary to accept it and I cannot make any commitment. We are putting many principles and guidelines in place for the Minister to consider this in the future. However we are discussing port areas, not the smaller places. I do not know whether the amendment does any harm but I do not know if it is necessary.