Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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691. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport in view of the Dún Laoghaire Cruise Stakeholders Group's proposals regarding funding for its cruise berth, and in the event of Dublin City Council not contributing €1.5 million as initially suggested, if he has consented to Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company taking on this responsibility thereby increasing its exposure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26241/15]

Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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692. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport in the event of funding for the Dún Laoghaire Cruise Stakeholders Group's proposals for its cruise berth, expected from the Exchequer/Fáilte Ireland/other investment funds not being forthcoming, if he has provided his consent for Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company taking responsibility for this funding, thereby increasing its exposure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26242/15]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 691 and 692 together.

​Dun Laoghaire Harbour Company is a commercial State port company and is expected to fund its capital investments without recourse to the Exchequer.

The Harbours Acts require Ministerial consent in relation to certain specific activities, including certain investments in undertakings (other than a subsidiary) greater than €1.27 million, and borrowings. Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company has not applied for Ministerial consent in respect of funding for a cruise berth.

Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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693. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the Dún Laoghaire Cruise Stakeholders Group's proposals regarding funding for its cruise berth could be seen by the Competition Authority as a state aid by Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council and Dublin City Council to a State company; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26243/15]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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The possible development of the cruise business was identified as one of the opportunities to be pursued in the Dun Laoghaire Harbour Masterplan. A Cruise Stakeholder Group was established, comprising of Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company, Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council and the Dún Laoghaire Business Improvement District.

The expansion and development of the cruise business would undoubtedly offer significant economic benefits to the port and the surrounding areas; however the proposal for a new cruise berth is still at an early stage and has yet to proceed to planning.

It is a matter for the Stakeholders Group and the port to ensure that any funding proposals comply with State aid rules.

Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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694. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport in view of the recent revelations in the Sunday Business Post, and the resignations of two directors (details supplied), and their concerns regarding the Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company, if he shares these concerns; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26244/15]

Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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695. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has met the financial controller of Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company regarding the concerns of the accountant (details supplied), since their resignation, given that the accountant cited concerns over the viability of planned projects and the future viability of the company itself; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26245/15]

Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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696. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport in view of the resignation of a person (details supplied) and that person's concerns that it would be unethical to continue as director of Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company, his views that it is also unethical for the remaining directors to continue in this role; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26246/15]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 694 to 696, inclusive, together.

As the Deputy is aware, as part of its development masterplan, Dun Laoghaire Harbour Company has a number of projects at different stages of conception or delivery, some of which require Ministerial consent and some of which do not.

As I informed the Deputy on 17th June, I recently had a constructive meeting with members of the Board of the Company in which I outlined clearly my position in relation to these projects and I have subsequently written to the Company highlighting what is required of them with regard to their obligations in respect of these projects.

In the meantime, ​as required under the Harbours Acts, a legal quorum is required and is in place for the Board of Dun Laoghaire Harbour Company.