Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)
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Question 340: To ask the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a company (details supplied) proposes to close the Ted Russell Docks in Limerick city; if he will assert his policy role as Minister to protect this important infrastructural facility in the mid-west; if he will also ensure that the effect of such a closure on road traffic in the region is considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12900/06]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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Shannon Foynes Port is a State-owned company established under the Harbours Act 1996. The Act provides that the principal objects of the company include the provision of such facilities, services and lands in its harbour for ships, goods and passengers as it considers necessary. The company is required to take all proper measures for the management, control, operation and development of its harbour. Decisions regarding the use of the land within the port estate are a matter for the port company.

On 15 March last, the Shannon Foynes Port Company announced that it was conducting a strategic review of its property portfolio, which could result in a major expansion and upgrade of its facilities in the Shannon estuary at a cost of over €100 million. The company manages six different port installations in the Shannon estuary, three of which are wholly owned.

The company projects significant increases in its volume of trade over the coming years and investment in new modern facilities that can handle bigger ships is required to accommodate this growth in trade. Continued investment in port infrastructure has been identified as being critical for the future development of the mid-west region. Whatever the conclusions of this review, the company has said it will continue to work in partnership with other stakeholders in the region.

More generally, a process is under way in my Department to examine future port capacity requirements at a national level, particularly for unitised trade. The ports have been invited by advisers working for the Department to make detailed project submissions regarding their development plans. These submissions have recently been received, including one from the Shannon Foynes Port Company, and are currently being evaluated.

It is intended to finalise a report over the coming months. The purpose of this process is to provide reassurance to Government that the anticipated capacity requirement for our growing economy will be met through the successful advancement and implementation by the port sector of some combination of the various proposals currently under development in the sector.

As for the implications of future port developments on road traffic in the region, the transfer of responsibility for ports and maritime transport to my Department certainly facilitates better integration of maritime and road transport policy. The implications for traffic congestion of any new port developments represent one of the criteria that will be looked at as part of the evaluation of the submissions referred to above.