Ned O'Sullivan (Fianna Fail)

I welcome the Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Deputy Noel Ahern. Like the previous speakers, I do not intend to go into further fine detail on a Bill that has already been fairly well thrashed out in the House. However, it would be remiss of me not to go over one or two points raised by my colleague, Senator O'Donovan, who is indisposed today and cannot be with us. He, and other colleagues, put up a long battle against the proposed amalgamation of Cork and Bantry harbours. He pointed out that this is not popular in Bantry where it is seen as totally unnecessary. Were he here today, I am sure the Senator would continue at further length on that point.

It is comical to suggest to people in Fenit that Shannon Foynes Port, with which it is to be associated, is its local port. Cork is nearer as the crow flies and Fenit would have more in common with Cork than with Shannon Foynes, which is a large industrial and commercial port.

Last weekend I chanced upon the chairman of the Wexford Harbour Commissioners. While they do not fall under the remit of this Bill, he said they object strongly to proposals that the Department take them over. There is a fair amount of disquiet about this matter, not all centred on the west coast.

The directors and connections of the Shannon Foynes Port Company are horrified at the idea that they must take responsibility for Fenit. There is so much happening in the Shannon Estuary that it is not practical to divert the company's business focus from the estuary to Fenit, which is an angling and tourist base, with the exception of one major commercial customer. The reports are that the LNG project in the Shannon Estuary, which is crucial to our energy requirements, is getting the go-ahead in its latest planning stages. The Foreshore Act sets one final hurdle for it but I hope that it will go through without further objections.

The future of the region depends on this development, with many jobs at stake. In this recession the country badly wants a major project such as this, and money up front. As a member of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Climate Change and Energy Security, I am aware of the significance of an alternative new energy source in LNG which will free us from the tyranny of dependence on the infamous Russian gas pipeline. This is the Shannon Foynes Port Company's baby.

We must also consider the future of Aughinish Alumina, one of the biggest employers in the country, which, as its biggest single customer, contributes significantly to the budget of the Shannon Foynes Port Company. There have been scares about the future of the plant and it is not possible for the harbour board to deviate from concentration on such a large client to deal with other smaller fish. There is a board in Fenit which is more than happy to run, and is capable of running, the harbour at a profit. It has drawn up interesting new development plans with the Department.

There is also an issue in the Shannon Estuary regarding the future of Tarbert power station. Until recently, it was one of the major contributors to the national grid. Moneypoint is on the other side, and both stations are big customers of the port company. There is also an emphasis in Limerick city on the Limerick docklands initiative which was stalled owing to local politics and business politics in the city. That was a shame because I was in support of it as a director of the port company. It is to be hoped the initiative will re-emerge. The port company has enough to do on all of these issues without having to get involved with Fenit.

We have thrashed this issue out by now. The Minister of State has heard just about enough. I am sure it will be thrashed out again at a later stage when Senator O'Donovan is back in full health.