Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 493: To ask the Minister for Transport his proposals regarding the development of Baltimore Harbour in west Cork; and the funding that will be made available therefor. [10153/06]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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Responsibility for Baltimore and Skibbereen Harbour has transferred from the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources to my Department with effect from 1 January 2006.

The Government's ports policy statement, which was launched in January 2005, states that the continued operation of many of the regional harbours under the outdated provisions of the Harbours Act 1946 is unsustainable on the grounds of good governance. The policy statement reiterated the view that these harbours would best achieve their potential through their transfer to local authority ownership or, where this is not possible, that sale to the private sector will be considered. In harbours where significant commercial traffic exists consideration will be given to bringing them under the control of a port company.

My Department is working with the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government to advance the implementation of the ports policy statement with regard to the transfer of the designated regional harbours to their respective local authorities, where appropriate, and to proceed individually in conjunction with the relevant local authorities and harbour authorities, having regard to local requirements in each case.

Baltimore and Skibbereen Harbour is a candidate for transfer to local authority control. As the harbour is situated in the functional area of Cork County Council, the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government requested the council to undertake an overall assessment of the potential of the harbour for transfer. This report has been received and is currently being assessed.

The limited resources available in my Department for expenditure on regional harbours are being concentrated on public safety works pending the transfer of the harbours.