Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 702: To ask the Minister for Transport the guiding regulations for the sale of harbour board assets; the body or agency that receives the benefits of a sale of assets; and the reviews that he undertakes on the sale of State assets during the transactions. [30233/08]

Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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Under Section 159 of the Harbours Act 1946, a harbour authority may, with the consent of the Minister, sell any of its lands or premises that are not required for the purposes of the harbour. In any such transactions, harbour authorities are required to comply with the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies.

Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 703: To ask the Minister for Transport his policy regarding the development of local harbours and their compliance with marine safety requirements. [30234/08]

Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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Policy in relation to the Regional Harbours, as published in the Ports Policy Statement in 2005, is that the continued operation of the regional harbours under the outdated provisions of the Harbours Act 1946 is unsustainable on the grounds of good governance.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 most of these harbours would best achieve their potential through their transfer to local authority ownership. Where it is not possible to reach agreement on transfer to local authorities, the option of sale of the harbours will be considered. In harbours where significant commercial traffic exists, consideration will be given to bringing such harbours under the control of a port company.

The 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 ownership.

The safety onshore at harbours including stevedores, dock labour etc. is a matter for the Health & Safety Authority. From the seaward side in relation to navigational safety, new developments must be licensed by the Department of Agriculture Fisheries and Food Marine Licensing Vetting Committee, MLVC. The Department of Transport sits on that committee to give input on navigational safety.