Michael McCarthy (Cork South West, Labour)
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255. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport regarding the amalgamation of the Bantry Bay Harbour Commissioners into Cork Port Company, his plans to promote and develop Bantry Bay harbour with the aim of maximising Bantry's potential as a tourist hub for west Cork; when he expects the board of directors of Bantry Bay Port Company Limited to be appointed by the Port of Cork Company; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5935/14]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Bantry Bay Harbour transferred to the Port of Cork Company on the 1st of January 2014. The Port of Cork Company have established a subsidiary company, the Bantry Bay Port Company Limited, to manage the harbour. Appointments to the Board are the responsibility of the Port of Cork and four of the eight directors have already been appointed from within the Port of Cork.  Four further directors are to be appointed from the Bantry area. The Port of Cork Company advertised for expressions of interest in relation to the remaining four posts on the 16 January 2014 with a closing date of 7 February 2014. Consideration will be given to applications from persons with experience in business, tourism and marine related matters.

The promotion and development of Bantry Bay as a tourist hub for West Cork is a matter for Fáilte Ireland and I have referred the question of the development of the region to them for further information and direct reply.