2.7.3 Galway Harbour Company

2.7.1 Drogheda Port Company Currently Drogheda Port Company principally handles bulk traffic; only a very limited LoLo service now operates out of the port. As with some other smaller port companies, the importance of non-core revenue sources has increased in recent years (Review Group, 2011).

major local amenity as well as a tourist attraction, it would not be appropriate to re-establish large-scale handling of freight traffic through the port, and there are more suitable alternatives within the Greater Dublin Area.

While the port’s location in the heart of Dún Laoghaire limits its potential as a transport hub, it provides significant opportunities. It has become increasingly clear over the past decade that the long-term future of Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company will be in terms of marine leisure, maritime tourism, cultural amenity and urban redevelopment. The Harbour Company has developed ambitious plans in this regard; these are incorporated in its 2011 Masterplan. The Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport is not the appropriate body to oversee these proposals, which are focused on urban regeneration, cultural amenity, marine tourism and leisure facilities rather than fulfilling national transportation objectives. Therefore it is appropriate that the plans be developed under the aegis of and in co-operation with Dún Laoghaire- Rathdown County Council.

Drogheda Port Company retains an important role in regional freight distribution and has in the past provided a competitive alternative to facilities in Dublin Port. However, given the volumes of trade that the company enjoys, shareholder oversight should be provided by a body more appropriate than the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport. The Department will thus examine the transfer of the shareholder function to Louth County Council and Meath County Council. Consideration will also be given to the role that the private sector can play in the port.

The Department will initiate discussions with the local authorities and the Port Company to determine the most suitable method of transfer to local authority control, within the framework set out in section 2.7.7.

The Department will initiate discussions with the local authority and the Harbour Company to determine the most suitable method of transfer to local authority control, within the framework set out in section 2.7.7.

2.7.2 Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company is the smallest of the State commercial port companies in terms of overall freight tonnage handled in 2011. However, it remains the third largest passenger ferry port in the State, after Dublin and Rosslare. In recent years the harbour has moved away from commercial portrelated business and is increasingly viewed as a centre for marine-related tourism and recreational activities.

2.7.3 Galway Harbour Company Galway Harbour Company is a bulk port which caters primarily for liquid-bulk products, and the harbour is an important strategic regional hub for petroleum importation, storage and distribution. However, declining throughput levels have led to increasing reliance on non-core port activities as revenue streams. The company now derives over 50% of its revenue from non-core port activities.

The location of the port so close to the centre of Dún Laoghaire town greatly limits its future potential as a major transport hub. The port was once central in the traffic of freight and passengers between Ireland and the United Kingdom, but it now handles little or no freight, while ferry services have been greatly reduced. Since the port is located close to a town centre and is a

Table 2.10: Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company overview

	1998*	2010	2011
Tonnage (’000)	240	2	12
	7,630	10,676
Operating Profit (€’000)	2,990	1,860	-54
	1,957	302
Employees	60	40	28

• 1998 was the first full financial year as a commercial port company