Michael McCarthy (Cork South West, Labour)
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Question 154: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to whom the body which oversees the harbour board in an area (details supplied) in County Cork is answerable; and the person directly responsible for their activities. [11011/11]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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My Department has responsibility for five Regional Harbours operating under the provisions of the Harbours Act 1946 including Baltimore Harbour.

The Harbour is managed under the Harbours Act 1946 by Baltimore and Skibbereen Harbour Authority, composed of commissioners whose duties include the management, control, maintenance and operation of the harbour.

Policy in relation to the future operation of regional harbours is to transfer responsibility for them to local authorities with the objectives of strengthening governance arrangements and to enable them to better achieve their potential in social and economic terms.

My Department is working with the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government to advance the implementation of this policy. Baltimore & Skibbereen Harbour is a candidate for transfer to Cork County Council.