asked the Minister for Transport the ports which qualify for State grants under existing legislation.

5.

asked the Minister for Transport if, in view of the increased usage of small ports by shipping, he will consider legislation to allow State aid for the improvement of such ports.

With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle I propose to take Questions Nos. 4 and 5 together.

State grants for improvement works at publicly-owned commercial harbours can be provided from the Vote for my Department and there is no need for any new legislation in the matter.

I should point out, however, that State grants for harbours are provided only in special circumstances, such as where the establishment or expansion of a particular major industry or new trade requires improved harbour facilities and the cost of providing those facilities cannot be met by the harbour authority. Each application from a harbour authority for a grant is considered on its merits and it is usually a condition of any such grant that the harbour authority make a contribution to the cost.

State assistance towards harbour development may also be provided by way of loans from the Local Loans Fund.

I was under the impression that a harbour had to be registered under the 1946 Act to qualify for grants. Is the Minister saying that in actual fact it does not?

No. I am saying that grants may be given to harbours governed by that Act and may also be given to other publicly owned commercial harbours but State grants are not given to private harbours.

Are there any grants available for harbours which are not private harbours but which are not included in the 1946 Act?

Yes, there are grants available for harbours that are publicly owned commercial harbours but which may be outside the 1946 Act.