Port board confirms inquiry established

SHANNON Foynes Port Company (SFPC) confirmed last night that it had put in train an internal investigation process after unspecified allegations were made to the board.

A special group has been set up, headed by a retired senior civil servant, with the brief to report within one week on whether the allegations warrant further scrutiny.

The Minister for Transport Martin Cullen confirmed that an internal investigative committee has been appointed at the SFPC to deal with matters which the minister would not specify. The company has responsibility for shipping in the Shannon Estuary including the ports at Foynes and Limerick.

A spokeswoman for the minister said he had been informed that the board of the company had set up an investigative committee and have appointed an independent chairperson.

The spokeswoman said this investigative committee is to report back to the board of the company within a week. She declined to say what the committee was dealing with, but said, “The minister has asked to be kept fully informed.”

She said the minister was satisfied with the approach being taken by the board of the Shannon Foynes Company in this matter. There is no suggestion that this investigative process has any connection to the controversy surrounding the proposed sale of Limerick Docks which has caused division among the board.

A special meeting of the board was called last Monday after a number of members voiced concerns about the proposed sale of Limerick docks. Some members felt that sufficient dialogue was not taking place.

Chief executive Brian Byrne had stated that expressions of interest have been received about the purchase of the 44-acre docks site after an advertising campaign. He stated that these were being analysed and he expected to have a report for the September meeting of the board.

Port users have been backed by Mayor of Limerick Joe Leddin and members of the city council in their opposition to a sell-off of the docks for private development. The board has agreed to hold inclusive talks with the city council and port users about the future of the docks.