Denis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail)

I formally thank the Minister of State, the Cathaoirleach and the House for putting up with my protracted debate over many days and hours. I acted responsibly in the interests of my community and I am glad that, even though the Bill is passed and Senator McCarthy is technically correct that Cork Port could take over Bantry Harbour, this cannot happen without consultation and without the ports agreeing to it. When I was a member of Bantry Bay Harbour Commissioners we had several meetings about the likelihood of Cork County Council taking over the commission. As the Minister of State pointed out, a Bill was passed by the Labour-Fine Gael coalition in 1996 that enabled the local authority and the Minister to force Bantry to come under the auspices of Cork County Council on a whim. We examined the option of corporatisation, which did not work out. That is history and I am satisfied that, as a result of the amendments tabled and the assurances given, if an event such as this happens although I do not think it will happen in the short term because there are too many issues involved, the fishermen, the town council, the harbour board, the people living in Whiddy Island and the mussel farmers will be consulted. This is now written into the Bill, which I appreciate. Bantry Harbour Authority and Cork Port must have meaningful dialogue. For the past three years there have been ongoing discussions between Cork Port and the Bantry Bay Harbour Authority. The due diligence process initiated by the Department is half completed, a draft report has been sent to the Department and I urge the Minister of State that this due diligence be completed in a transparent fashion. If necessary the draft report, which I believe is in the hands of their Department, should be given to Bantry and the matter should be teased out.

On the question of negotiation, if this eventuality was to take place the capacity for Bantry as an authority and community to negotiate appropriate terms is enshrined in this legislation. For the past 25 years in public life I have been saying that the major issues are dredging of the inner harbour and the extension to the pier. Whatever happens these projects must be done. Good luck to Cork Port if it provides the essential ingredients required to develop the harbour but there will be no shotgun marriage. There must be a long courtship and hopefully we will not see that happening in the next five years.