Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)

My mother may have been from Castledonovan but I do not have the history, background or knowledge of some Senators on all aspects of the sea. The River Tolka and Dollymount are probably the nearest to water in which I have ever had involvement. Some comments here, particularly by Senator O'Donovan, were interesting. Reference was made to the break-up of the Department of the Communications, Energy and Natural Resources. The transfer of responsibility for the ports to the Department of Transport makes major sense for co-ordination and synergy when one is discussing Dublin port, Waterford port or similar ports. It is a different issue when one is talking about Bantry or Fenit, where a range of issues is involved.

Senator O'Donovan spoke in the Chamber and elsewhere, and lobbied at higher political level in another House close by, about the lack of co-ordination and the necessity for the Government to consider places such as Bantry where elements of several Departments are involved. Bantry has hopes, dreams and ambitions. It has an oil terminal and it also wants its pier, fishing, tourism and so on. Many of these matters do not fall under the remit of the Department of Transport. While it will support Bantry as best it can, a range of Departments are involved. It is a different kettle of fish from a large commercial port, such as Waterford, Dublin, Drogheda or Bremore. Senator O'Donovan referred to that matter elsewhere.

I accept the Government may need to be better co-ordinated when dealing with places such as Bantry or Fenit, but several small harbours are being transferred to local authorities because of the existence of the freight business, with the oil terminal in Bantry and, mainly, Liebherr in Fenit, which is appropriate to the company's needs. Liebherr has expansion plans. The freight element in those two ports renders them different from some smaller ports, such as Kinsale, Baltimore or wherever, which have no involvement with the freight business. I am glad that some Members are happy.

Regarding Senator McCarthy's point, we are all in politics and I understand the political line, but Bantry Bay Harbour Commissioners could have been set aside years ago. That power always existed and this Bill does not remove it, rather it provides another option. While I understand what the Senator said and he was not incorrect, that power was always there and the commissioners could have been set aside before pen was ever put to paper on this Bill. I thank the Senators for their comments.