Denis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail)

To deal with the issue of Government funding, the PricewaterhouseCoopers report states:

The projections disclose a capacity to generate profits and cashflows over the ten years ended 31 December 2011 under review but also a requirement for an up front capital injection to finance the Port's proposed capital expenditure programme of EUR 6.3 million in relation to the New Pier Project.

It goes on to state: "The Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources has already approved EUR 1.9 million for this project in 2000". The date in question was 14 June 2000, but not one cent of that money was spent.

We had promises of financial support in the 1980s with the Bantry package. The then Minister, former Deputy Dick Spring, arrived by helicopter — a novelty at the time; everyone has a helicopter now — with a full bevy of supporters at the Westlodge Hotel and announced a package of £5 million or £6 million for the west Cork area. We mentioned the 30th anniversary of the Whiddy Island disaster but of that £5 million, not one penny was spent in the inner harbour. Various commitments were given and——