Fine Gael TD for Limerick and Member of the Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications, Patrick O’Donovan, speaking today (Wednesday) at the Transport Committee pre-legislative scrutiny on the Harbours (Amendment) Bill 2014, called for the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Paschal Donohoe TD, to confirm his commitment to the stated policy of tiered ports, and to confirm that there will be no change in the policy.
“Ireland’s ports are organised into tiers based on the level of activity at each location. I am asking the Minister Donohoe to confirm that the policy which specifies three Tier One ports is not going to change. This is of major importance to the West and Mid West as it places Shannon Foynes, as the only Tier 1 port on the western seaboard.
“Shannon Foynes port, which handled 10 million tonnes of cargo last year is a Tier One port and central to Ireland’s trade. Shannon Foynes is one of the three Tier One ports in Ireland, it is one of the deepest port in the country and it deals with almost 15% of the state’s cargo, making it a major strategic hub on the west coast.
“Shannon Foynes is of strategic national importance, it is well served by excellent and ever improving transport links, it is a significant local employer and it is justifiably one of the most important ports in the country. I am eager for the Minister to reaffirm that the current policy will remain in place, and that there will be no dilution of the policy. I intend to discuss this with Minister Donohoe in the coming days.”