WASHINGTON: Wicklow Port now becomes the first port to transfer under National Ports Policy which was approved by the Government and published in 2013. Previously Cllr Irene Winters had been critical of the delay in plans to finalise the transfer of the port to Wicklow County Council. ‘This decision means Wicklow Port is no longer left in a state of limbo now that Wicklow County Council is in charge.
‘Now we can go to look for solutions to the problems of erosion at the Murrough. Before the transfer the council couldn’t undertake any work along the port area because it wasn’t under our control. Now it will make things easier for us to approach Europe for funding because we are all under the one entity. There is a substantial crack on the wall at the East Pier which needs some remedial works. Instead of a patch and repair job we can look at something more long term which could help with the Murrough and how the tides hit that particular area. Hopefully, we can also bring more life to the port as well.’
The National Ports Policy recommended that ports of regional significance should be transferred to more appropriate local authority led governance structures. These include Wicklow, Drogheda, Dun Laoghaire, Galway and New Ross ports. Speaking after singing off on the transfer, Minister Ross commented, ‘today marks an important milestone as Wicklow Port is the first Port of Regional Significance to transfer to a local authority.
‘Wicklow Port is a thriving regional commercial port and the transfer will provide new opportunities for the development of marine-related activities and regional freight, and to further develop marine leisure and tourism, cultural and recreation amenities in the area, offering significant potential for local employment creation. I also wish to commend the work undertaken by the Chief Executive and his staff in Wicklow County Council, as well as the work undertaken by the Board and staff in Wicklow Port, who have actively engaged in the due diligence process over a number of months in preparation for transfer.’ He added that Wicklow Port could serve a niche market and provide an important function.
