Michael D'Arcy (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 114: To ask the Minister for Transport his views on the progress to date in implementing the recommendations of the 2003 high level review of commercial ports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46444/08]

Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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The High Level Review of the State Commercial Ports, carried out by Raymond Burke Consulting in association with Posford Haskoning Consulting Engineers and Farrell Grant Sparks, was published in May 2003. This was the first such review of the port companies established under the terms of the Harbours Act 1996.

Subsequently, the Review was the subject of an extensive public consultation process on its findings and recommendations. The work undertaken as part of the Review, and the earlier statutory Performance Audit of the State Port Companies in 2001 carried out by Jonathan Packer, together with the submissions and observations received during these processes, fed into and informed the development of the Ports Policy Statement in 2005. The development of a ports policy statement was one of the recommendations of the Review itself.

A key focus of both the High Level Review and the Ports Policy Statement was the need to further enhance the commercial ethos conferred upon the port companies by the Harbours Act 1996. To that end, important recommendations were made inter alia regarding board size and composition.

The Harbours (Amendment) Bill 2008 is intended to give a legislative basis to these recommendations by reducing the number of directors on port company boards from 12 to 8, removing statutory local authority representation, ending the practice of appointing port users to boards and standardising the number of employee directors at one per port company.

The Bill also contains other amendments to support the recommendations contained in the Review and Ports Policy Statement designed to enhance the commercial ethos of the State port companies. These proposals include allowing port companies to invest in commercial opportunities outside their harbour limits and introducing a greater degree of flexibility regarding borrowing by port companies, which will aid their continued development and progress.

The High Level Review also specified the desirability of recognising the integral role of the ports sector in the overall transport chain by transferring responsibility for the ports from the then Department of Communications, Marine, Energy and Natural Resources to the Department of Transport. This transfer took place in January 2006.

The High Level Review and the subsequent development of the Ports Policy Statement provided a clear framework for the development of the commercial ports sector in the State. The Harbours (Amendment) Bill 2008, when enacted, will considerably supplement the progress made since the High Level Review was published in 2003.

Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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Question 115: To ask the Minister for Transport when the report on the future of Dublin Port will be published; if the report will recommend changes to the future location and size of Dublin Port; if he will publish new legislation to accompany the report; if measures in the report will require new legislation; his views on the proposed reclamation of 21 hectares at Dublin Port; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46370/08]

Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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Indecon International Economic Consultants have been commissioned to undertake a comprehensive review of the role of Dublin Port as provided for under the National Development Plan 2007 — 2013.

This study will examine the feasibility of various scenarios relating to Dublin Port, including:

Existing port activities continuing to expand with demand,

Relocating all or part of Dublin Port's existing activities to an alternative location(s),

Port activities continuing at current levels with growth being catered for at alternative locations.

Work on the Dublin Port study is progressing and I expect a final report for my consideration in the early part of 2009. I will consider the report's findings upon receipt and take appropriate action.

I am aware that Dublin Port Company has lodged a planning application with An Bord Pleanála under the Planning and Development (Strategic Development) Act 2006 to reclaim and develop 21 hectares of foreshore within the port area.

As a "prescribed body" under that Act, I was formally notified of the application and my Department has written to An Bord Pleanála with an update on the progress of the Dublin Port study.