Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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70. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will report on ongoing discussions between his Department, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council and Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company with regard to the future governance of the harbour; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30188/17]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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The process of transferring governance of Dun Laoghaire Harbour Company to Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council is ongoing. This process and the future operational structures of the port are primarily matters for agreement between the Council and the port.

Following publication of the due diligence report on 9 January 2017 Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council engaged a risk and finance consultant to carry out a Risk Assessment of the company prior to transfer. This will enable the Council to fully understand the implications of models of transfer and the responsibility that will transfer in financial and other terms.

Officials from my Department met with the Risk Assessor on 31 January 2017 to give the shareholder perspective on National Ports Policy and to explain the different models of transfer. Clarification was sought from my officials in April in relation to whether there was a necessity to have a Non Disclosure Agreement signed regarding commercially sensitive information held by the port.

My officials met with the Chief Executive and the Company Secretary of Dun Laoghaire Harbour Company on 11 April 2017  to progress matters, and a way forward was agreed. This was communicated to the Chief Executive of Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council on 27 April 2017.

I understand that the port company is currently engaging with the Risk Assessor. When the risk assessment process is completed, I expect matters to progress towards agreeing a model and a date for transfer.

Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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71. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the timeline for the planned transfer of ownership of the Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company to Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council; if this transfer will be option one or two in the Harbours Act 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30189/17]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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As the Deputy is aware, the Harbours Act 2015 provides the necessary legislative basis to allow for the transfer of Ports of Regional Significance, including the Dun Laoghaire Harbour Company, to local authority control. The future governance and operational structures of the port are primarily matters for agreement between the Council and the port company.

The decision on the model of transfer, option one or two outlined in the Harbours Act 2015, will be informed by both the due diligence report which was completed in January, and the risk assessment currently being carried out by the local authority.

I understand that the risk assessment process is still ongoing. This will enable the Council to fully understand the implications of models of transfer and the responsibility that will transfer in financial and other terms.

When the Risk Assessment process is completed, it is expected that matters will progress towards finalising the model and date of transfer.