Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 421: To ask the Minister for Transport when the proposals for the development of ports on the east coast have been received by his Department; the capacity expansion envisaged by each; and if he has evaluated or approved these proposals. [27730/06]

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 423: To ask the Minister for Transport if a company (details supplied) have reported to him on efficiencies within existing ports; and if a copy of reports will be made available. [27831/06]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 421 and 423 together.

The Government's Ports Policy Statement, which I launched in January 2005, aims to better equip the port sector and its stakeholders to meet national and regional capacity and service needs. One of the key challenges that lie ahead is the provision of adequate in-time port capacity, particularly for unitised trade. The Policy Statement sets out a framework to ensure that capacity needs are identified, planned and progressed in a coordinated manner.

As part of this process, in September 2005, my Department appointed a firm of consultants expert in this field, Fisher Associates to help determine whether the anticipated capacity requirement to 2014 and beyond can be efficiently and adequately met through the successful advancement and implementation by the port sector of some combination of the various proposals currently under development in the sector.

Submissions outlining proposals for new capacity were received from the following ports on the east coast: Greenore, Dublin, Drogheda and Rosslare. Submissions were also received from ports at Cork, Shannon Foynes and Waterford.

The final report of Fisher Associates was completed recently. It is intended to publish the broad conclusions of the report in the coming months, following its submission to Government.