Denis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail)

I thank the Minister for his frank response. I am aware of the KPMG report, one of eight dealing with the future of Bantry Harbour. The most recent report was carried out by Ray Burke - not the politician - and suggested Bantry might be better served in a standalone situation. When the gun is put to the Minister's head on the point of amalgamation, I hope he will take into consideration the diverse local concerns. Someone from the Port of Cork authority, whose name I will not reveal, told me not so long ago that it is fine to take over responsibility for ConocoPhillips and the operation of Whiddy Ireland, which may increase its capacity and revenue and would be a win-win situation but the takeover would also involve fish farming and its problems in the bay, tourism, Whiddy Island, liners and other issues. It is a complex area and the Port of Cork will walk away from a takeover unless it is forced to act because the takeover would cause more problems than the Port of Cork would like. It is not as simple as taking over the Whiddy Ireland project and the ConocoPhillips project, which is important to Bantry, the south of Ireland and the State. I thank the Minister for his fulsome response. I had the same arguments with the previous Minister.