Written answers

Thursday, 19 December 2013

Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport

Ports Policy

Photo of Richard Boyd BarrettRichard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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29. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when the planned integration of Dun Laoghaire Harbour Company into Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council will take place; the way this will be structured; and if it will involve a review of management practices. [54401/13]

Photo of Leo VaradkarLeo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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One of the key action points arising from the National Ports Policy published last March is that control of the five Ports of Regional Significance, including Dún Laoghaire, should transfer from central to local government. The future of Dun Laoghaire Harbour Company is not as a major freight or transport hub, but rather in maritime tourism, marine leisure and public amenity. In that regard, the most appropriate share-holding body is not the Department of Transport, but rather Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council. In order to facilitate this and other transfers, the current Harbours Acts 1996 - 2009 must be amended to provide the legislative framework to allow for later transfer by Ministerial Order.  

My Department published a Regulatory Impact Analysis consultation document in August regarding these proposed amendments and requested submissions from a range of stakeholders. A copy of the document is available on my Department's website. The consultation process has now concluded and work is now well advanced in the drafting Heads of the proposed Bill. I expect to seek approval from Government in Quarter 1 of 2014 for the Heads of the Bill. Subsequent to Government approval, my Department will present the Heads to the Oireachtas Committee for their consideration.

The future operational structures of the port companies concerned is primarily a matter for agreement between the relevant council and port company. Therefore, my Department has begun discussions with these stakeholders to identify the particular transfer arrangements appropriate in each case.  My Department will continue to engage with stakeholders as drafting of the legislation continues. If the Deputy has any suggestions in relation to the legislation that is being drafted, it will of course be given appropriate consideration.

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