Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)

Depending on their background and experience, many commissioners in a big port or a small harbour probably have a view on how these things should be done. Senator Walsh referred to New Ross and said he was consulted by the consultants to whom he gave his view. Everyone put their pennyworth into the pot. Reports were issued and policy was endorsed by the Government. That is the way it is now. This legislation is to give effect to whatever the Government decided a couple of years ago on foot of the ports policy document. While we all had views on matters in the past, and can still have our views, life has moved on and that is where we are now. It is not as if the existing set-up has served Bantry all that wonderfully. The harbour commissioners are beavering away down there but, as Senator O'Donovan outlined, many things have not happened over the years. To some extent I can understand his fears that if Bantry Harbour is linked with a bigger body it might become stifled, or the commissioners' wishes and dreams might not be fulfilled.