Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 213: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources his plans to develop the ports at Wicklow Town and Arklow, County Wicklow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27620/05]

Pat Gallagher (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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Wicklow Port Company operates under the Harbours Acts 1996 and 2000. Under the Acts, the primary function of the company is the management, control, operation and development of its harbour ensuring that its revenue is sufficient to meet its expenditure. The ports policy statement, published in January 2005, sets out Government policy on plans for the development of ports and harbours. It is available to view on the Department's website.

The ports policy statement aims to better equip the port sector and its stakeholders to meet national and regional capacity and service needs through: better transport policy coordination; clearer and more focused commercial mandates for the ports and their boards; reform of the structure of port boards; encouragement of private sector investment and involvement; sanction for the use of non-core assets to fund new port development but not to mask inefficiencies; encouragement of healthy competitive conditions within and between ports; better consultation and dispute resolution between port companies and users through appropriate information sharing and arbitration mechanisms; and encouragement of mergers where a business case exists.

Ireland, as an island, is dependent on sea-borne trade and the economic significance and importance of our ports to the prosperity of the country is self evident. Given our small, open economy, Ireland's international competitiveness is central to overall economic performance.

The Government expects that the port companies, as commercial entities, should be capable of funding their operations and infrastructure requirements without relying on Exchequer support. The port companies are, therefore, encouraged to seek financial assistance from other avenues such as private sector investment within ports.

On Arklow harbour, as indicated in the ports policy statement, it is proposed that the regional harbours still operating under the Harbours Act 1946 will be transferred to local authority or port company control. Under this policy, consideration is being given to a proposal to transfer Arklow harbour to Wicklow County Council.

Officials from the Departments of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources and the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, are at present considering the modalities for the transfer of the regional harbours to local authority ownership. The relevant local authorities have been requested to undertake an overall assessment and report on their potential for transfer.

Pending the above transfers, the Department spent a total of €1.25 million in 2004 on essential works at regional harbours, to protect the public and the fabric of these harbours, €450,000 of which was provided to Arklow harbour. In 2005, a similar programme of essential works is being undertaken at Arklow harbour at a cost of €1.6 million. I have just approved a further €170,000 for additional minor works at the harbour.