Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)
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Question 162: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if responsibility for ports is going to be removed from the remit of his Department and transferred to the Department of Transport; the reasons behind the consideration of such a move; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34355/05]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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The Government has endorsed my proposal, jointly agreed with my colleague, the Minister for Transport, to transfer responsibility for maritime transport and maritime safety from my Department to the Department of Transport from 1 January 2006. The decision to transfer responsibility for the major commercial seaports is being complemented by the simultaneous transfer of the following interlinked policy areas and services. These include shipping policy and State regional ports and harbours, both of which functions are fully integrated with commercial ports policy and the maritime safety and security functions together with the Irish Coast Guard.

The transfer of the maritime transport and maritime safety functions in their totality to the Department of Transport makes strategic and operational sense. The bringing of these functions within the transport policy framework is in the interests of integrated transport policy delivery, efficiency and effectiveness and stakeholders and sectors.