Ports should be competitive and profitable, but also accountable – Doyle

Fine Gael TD for Wicklow/East Carlow, Andrew Doyle, says Ireland’s ports should be competitive and profitable, but they also need to be accountable. He was speaking in the Dáil this week, where the Harbours Bill 2015 was being discussed.

“As an island nation, ports are essential infrastructure, which should stay in public ownership. As a country we import and export many goods and there is every reason for port companies to be viable. The ports we are talking about; Drogheda, Dún Laoghaire, Wicklow and New Ross, can all be key contributors to the Irish economy.

“Wicklow Port Company has worked very well. It is a small semi-state entity that has been a profitable company and has continued to be prudent. It has invested money in the provision of key infrastructure such as the South Quays Wall, which it funded from its own resources, and it has still managed to keep reserves.

“As well as remaining profitable it’s important that Ireland’s port companies are accountable to Local Authorities and the audited accounts should be available and published. Decisions taken by the company should be subject to the council in the same way that agencies of the state come before relevant committees of the Dáil. It is also important however that these companies are not interfered with.”