asked the Minister for Transport if, in view of the vast potential of the Kerry side of the Shannon estuary for future development, he will consider the setting up of a Kerry Harbour Authority to pursue, manage and develop the estuary under the jurisdiction of Kerry County Council or alternatively provide that County Kerry will be adequately represented on any larger authority that he might envisage for control of the whole estuary.

I am not prepared to consider setting up a separate Kerry harbour authority with jurisdiction over part of the Shannon estuary. It is my view that the general development of the Shannon estuary could most effectively be achieved by the establishment of a single ports authority with control over the entire waters of the estuary.

The House was informed last week, in the course of a reply to other parliamentary questions, of the meeting which I had on 9 November 1981 with the chairmen and other representatives of Limerick Harbour Commissioners, Foynes Harbour Trustees, Kilrush Harbour Authority and representatives of the Mid-West Regional Development Organisation at which the three harbour authorities agreed to resume their discussions with a view to submitting to me within three months agreed proposals, if possible, for the establishment of a Shannon estuarial authority. If agreement cannot be reached on all the issues involved, those still the subject of disagreement will be identified and included in a joint submission to me.

I would certainly envisage that Kerry County Council, as well as the other local authorities in the vicinity of the estuary, would be represented on a Shannon estuarial authority.

In view of the importance for the Kerry side of the Shannon estuary for future development, will the Minister guarantee to Kerry County Council adequate representation on any working party or any authority he intends setting up?

I would envisage that Kerry County Council — as well as the other local authorities because Clare and Limerick would have an interest equally deep — would be represented. The normal construction of an estuarial authority or a harbour authority would include representatives of the local authorities concerned.

Will Kerry County Council be represented adequately?

The Deputy can be certain of that.

(Limerick East): Will the Minister still proceed with legislation if agreement cannot be reached between the harbour boards at local level?

I have no reason to assume that agreement will not be reached. We had a satisfactory meeting and I await agreement with confidence before considering alternatives.