Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 303: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the position in relation to the new pier at Bantry in west Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33881/05]

Pat Gallagher (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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A proposed new pier project has been under consideration by Bantry Bay Harbour Commissioners for some years. On 16 September 2004, the Minister of State at the time, Deputy Browne, wrote to the chairman of the harbour commissioners and requested that the project be reviewed in terms of its viability, the financial implications for the project due to escalating cost estimates and the risks to the project posed by the dominant position of the terminal operator.

The commissioners were invited to submit for consideration a fully detailed updated proposal for the project, including a comprehensive business plan with financial projections. No updated proposal has been received by the Department.

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. The Department is engaged in an ongoing process with the relevant parties, and will shortly be having further discussions with Bantry Bay Harbour Commissioners.