Gerard Craughwell (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I wish to support Senator Barrett. I am a little confused about why we are bringing local authorities in to run ports. The ports are a specialised area. I would rather see an integrated transport policy, whereby the big ports in use would incorporate some form of rail transfer of assets, etc. I am a little concerned that we are asking too much of local authorities.We have stripped them of practically all of their other powers and we are now burdening them with the management of ports, a highly specialised area. Later on I will refer to the removal, to all intents and purposes, of the right of a harbour master to sit on a board of directors.

I refer to section 8. Senator Barrett mentioned the transfer of assets. If there are assets that cannot be utilised by a port, surely they should be sold and the funds recouped. While I would not want to see any employees lose out on the transfer of assets, a point on which Senator Barrett and I may differ, I have some serious concerns about a port being transferred to a local authority. It is a case of horses for courses.