Board to fight as Dempsey moves to hand Bantry Bay to Cork

THE board of one the country’s biggest harbours has vowed to fight government plans to scrap it.

Bantry Bay Harbour Commissioners is taking legal advice ahead of a crunch meeting tomorrow night to discuss Transport Minister Noel Dempsey’s plans to transfer responsibility for and control of Bantry Bay to the Port of Cork Company.

The proposal is contained in section 18 of the Harbours (Amendment) Bill 2008, draft legislation which was distributed last week.

The bill is designed to streamline operating practices for the country’s 10 commercial ports operating under the 1996 Harbours Act.

Mr Dempsey said it will help the companies to develop their businesses.

“Notwithstanding the current economic slowdown the port authorities should continue to plan for growth in the medium and long term. This legislation is designed to help them do that,” he said.

But Bantry Bay Harbour Commissioners said they are “surprised and disappointed” with section 18, which will also affect the Tralee and Fenit harbours in Co Kerry.

Its chairman, Aiden McCarthy, said the measure is being forced on his board without due consultation.

“I personally believe it is not in the best interests of Bantry, and the future sustained growth of Bantry Harbour, and would demand from the minister to withdraw this section of the bill,” he said.

“I am personally committed to doing my utmost to ensure that this proposal is not brought to fruition.”

He said the board is strong enough to stand alone as a commercial entity and pointed to its sustained growth over the past five years — from 700,000 tonnes in 2004 to 1,000,000 tonnes last year.

The principal income comes from bulk cargo traffic by way of harbour dues levied.

Its main customers are ConocoPhillips Bantry Bay Oil Terminals Ltd and stone exporters Tarmac Fleming Quarries Ltd.

The billion-euro oil terminal and the harbour’s Single Point Mooring (SPM) facility have helped boost the harbour’s trade figures.

Today, Bantry is one of the top eight performing ports in the country.

Mr McCarthy said there is no benefit for Bantry Harbour Board to be taken over by the Port of Cork Company.

“Before any action is taken by the minister, we recommend that a new study based on up-to-date commercial figures be commissioned,” he said.

“We are confident that this new study will support the harbour board’s view that we are strong enough to stand alone.”

The board is also planning to call a public meeting to give people a chance to air their views on the matter.