Ports crucial in maintaining ability to compete effectively in international markets

Efficient, world-class ports are crucial in maintaining our ability to compete effectively in international markets and because of the importance of the ports sector to the Irish economy, the Minister for Transport should report to the Oireachtas, at least annually, on the performance of the sector, a new report from the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Transport has concluded.

That report should cover issues such as corporate governance, traffic trends, development plans and port traffic.

The administration of foreshore licensing is bureaucratic, costly and slow, according to the report which recommends that the Foreshore and Dumping at Sea Licence application process need to be streamlined.

“The Committee has heard many complaints about the Foreshore Licence process. The ports sector has complained about the bureaucracy of the process, the costs involved and the length of time it takes to process applications. The Committee is concerned about the inefficiencies that involve state agencies and recommends that immediate action is taken to address them,” said Committee Chairman, Frank Fahey, TD.

There should be a committee comprising the Irish Ports Association, the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and the EPA to review the application process, the report concluded.

The policies and procedures in relation to Corporate Governance as laid down in the Department of Finance’s guidelines should be implemented as a matter of urgency and actively monitored by the Department of Transport.

“It is imperative that the ports sector conforms to high levels of corporate governance,” said Deputy Fahey. “State bodies must serve the interests of the taxpayer, pursue value for money in their endeavours and act transparently as public entities in their dealings with staff, customers, suppliers and the public. The Committee expects that boards and management accept accountability for the proper management of the organisation and shall deal with any failures in performance promptly. The Department of Transport has a major oversight role in this respect equally.”

Among the other recommendations outlined in the report are:

The Department of Transport should commission a study of the potential and economic impact of the cruise line business on the ports sector and on the broader Irish economy

Ports should examine opportunities for co-operation in the interests of improved efficiency and effectiveness.

The review of the Ports Policy Statement should be on developing sector co-operation and integration particularly in the case of ports that have no long-term viability.

Notwithstanding that the Harbours legislation enables the merger of Bantry Bay Harbour Commissioners with the Port of Cork, and Tralee Fenit with Shannon Foynes Port Company, any merger should be deferred until such time as the relevant entities agree to it.

The Government should consider whether port privatisation, in any form, is in the public interest and has any benefits for the sector and the national economy.

The Department of Transport should amend the Merchant Shipping Act 1992 to enable passenger ships with the appropriate international certification to make non-scheduled day trips from Irish ports.

A Ports Liaison Group that existed to progress matters between the sector and the Department of Transport should be reactivated.

The Government should make a formal policy statement in relation to rail freight.

Deputy Fahey concluded: “As a small, open economy, Ireland is heavily reliant on foreign trade. Given that we are an island nation, efficient, world-class ports are crucial in maintaining our ability to compete effectively in international markets.

“With the downturn in the economy and the huge challenges we face, it is important that we continue to invest in our ports infrastructure for the continued economic and social development of the country.”