THE latest figures released by the Irish Maritime Development Office (IMDO) show that Ireland’s shipping passenger market is continuing to peg back market share from the low-cost airline market.

IF the Irish economy is to continue to achieve the levels of growth we have come to expect, Government policy will have to take development of our seaports seriously, Dermot O’Mahoney, chairman the Port of Cork Company warned yesterday.

The Government will consider a comprehensive new ports policy in the near future, Marine Minister John Browne said today.