Brendan Ryan (Dublin North, Labour)
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1124. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the role local councillors will play in the new structure when the Drogheda Harbour Commission is constituted into the Drogheda Port Company; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41897/14]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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One of the principal recommendations of the National Ports Policy, published in March 2013, is the proposed transfer of five Ports of Regional Significance (including the Drogheda Port Company) to local authority control.  

The government recently approved the General Scheme of the Harbours Amendment Bill which will provide a legislative basis to allow for the transfer of the five ports to local authority control. Officials have been meeting with ports, local authorities and others to discuss the proposed transfer arrangements and they will continue to engage with stakeholders as the drafting of the Bill commences and progresses. The role of the Chief Executive who will exercise the shareholder function, and the role of the Councils in relation to the ports that will be transferred, is currently under discussion.

I anticipate bringing the Bill before the Oireachtas in 2015.