Mary Mitchell O'Connor (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to the need to ensure the provision of facilities in ports here to cater for the next generation of cruise ships, those of more than 338 meters in length, with a draft of 8.6 meters, in view of the growing importance in the cruise business of vessels of this size; if he intends to take any action to promote the provision of facilities for these vessels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7296/13]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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At the outset, I wish to inform the Deputy that my Department does not  provide Exchequer funding to ports as such an investment is contrary to State Aid rules and we have no budget line from which to do so in any case. Individual ports are responsible for their own investment decisions around their infrastructure and facilities, and must fund such investment from their own profits and reserves.

However, I can inform the Deputy that the port of Cork can already accommodate cruise ships over 338m at the Cobh Cruise Terminal and Ringaskiddy Deepwater Berth. A cruise vessel of 340m overall length has been a regular caller to Cobh since 2008. The port of Cork Company has invested in the provision of facilities for these vessels  including berth upgrades, dredging, employee and pilot training and regional tourism promotion in order to attract and accommodate vessels of this size. Dublin Port can also accommodate vessels of this size in Alexandra Quay, while smaller liners can come up the river Liffey close to the city centre.

My Department encourages ports and other relevant organisations to investigate opportunities to increase Ireland's share of the cruise tourism market and further develop Ireland as a cruise destination.  Port companies are also encouraged to develop or expand cruise facilities, where they consider it is appropriate to do so, using their own resources.