Neale Richmond (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister to the House and thank him for his statement.

Like other speakers, I also was a member of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council. I am a resident of the lovely village of Stepaside in Dublin Rathdown. I am grateful the Minister has come in, hopefully, to answer some questions on the transfer of the harbour company into local authority ownership.Senator Horkan mentioned that this is of interest and importance to the 210,000 people living locally but it should be of major interest and importance to the country as a whole and to the future of local government and marine policy. I have a number of questions which I hope the Minister will answer in his reply. If not, perhaps one of his officials would follow up with me on them in due course. I had intended to ask if the order has been signed but the Minister has answered that question. I understand it was signed today. If so, at what time was it signed? Will the Minister detail the engagement between his Department and Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council since the ports policy was approved by Government? Has the county council and the port company been in contact in preparation of the transfer? I refer in this regard to the company as an entity and not the CEO. Why is the port company being subsumed into the county council, rather than having the shareholding function transfer? Will there be an indemnity for the county council against claims under way? Have indemnities been provided to other local authorities in other transfers? Will there be a package for any staff member wishing to leave and, if so, who will pay for it? Have staff been notified of the transfer? I understand that under legislation, they are required to receive 30 days notification in this regard? I would appreciate if the Minister could clarify if this is the case. What assets are attached to the harbour company on its transfer? Is Gresham House, a famous building in the town of Dún Laoghaire, being transferred? Also, what is the value of that building and is there any debt attached to it?

During the summer, it was reported that the Dún Laoghaire Harbour Innovation Centre was being progressed by the harbour company and would generate €1.5 million in rents and rates. What is the status of this project? Will additional local property tax be allowed to remain with to Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council to cover the cost of infrastructure? As Senators Horkan and Boyhan will recall, 20% of local property tax receipts within Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown were transferred to local government and distributed around the country. I held a public meeting last night - I am delighted Senator Boyhan was unable to attend - at which one of the key issues was reform of the local property tax system and where property taxes for the area are going. When I take a walk or go for a run in Marlay Park, I like to know that my property tax is paying for that fantastic facility. I look forward to going for a swim in Glenalbyn once again soon.

What support was provided to other port companies and harbours that have transferred to local authorities? The Minister mentioned Wicklow Port but other ports such as Drogheda and Tralee and Fenit have also been transferred. He also mentioned that the national ports policy highlights that the future of the port is urban regeneration, leisure, public amenity and tourism. Given that under Project Ireland 2040, which the Minister and I are enthusiastic supporters of, more than €200 million is provided over the next decade for tourism capital, will he, given his responsibility for tourism, engage with the county council on accessing this funding?

I share the concern about this transfer but I welcome it. I wish the Minister, his officials and the Government the best in this transfer but I intend to ensure that it does not negatively impact my home, my family's home and the facilities which I intend to spend the rest of my life enjoying. This is a matter of most seriousness. I look forward to a fulsome response from the Minister.