Minister’s Statement

Minister’s Statement

Our ports play a crucial, yet often overlooked role in facilitating economic growth and prosperity. As an island nation we depend on the quality and efficiency of our port services to a much greater degree than many of our trading partners.

Figure from page 7

As barometers of the broader economy, our ports have not been immune from the turmoil of the last few years nor from the effects of globalisation generally. These global challenges require action at a national level to ensure that Ireland continues to be served by the type of port services it requires.

The Government has an ambitious goal to fully use our marine resources, as set out in our new, integrated marine plan – Our Ocean Wealth. As part of this, the Government has set a target for increasing the contribution of the marine sector to the national economy. This National Ports Policy is a contribution to that vision and effort. It clearly sets out a roadmap for the ports sector for at least the next generation, setting down clear objectives, the policies to achieve them and timelines for doing so.

Our ports are more than trading gateways to the world; they are frequently centres of great historical, cultural, social and recreational importance. Many of our oldest cities and towns were founded as trading ports. Some have relinquished over time their commercial focus and now serve primarily social and recreational functions for their communities.

This new ports policy addresses the dichotomy of challenge and opportunity that faces our ports. I am confident that the reforms proposed within it, while acknowledging that current governance arrangements may not best suit those ports of a primarily regional significance, will allow for the continued development of all our State port companies.

I should like to thank everyone who took part in the public consultation and all those who helped to research and write this document.

Leo Varadkar T.D. Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

Executive Summary

Image Credit: Irish Maritime Development Office