The Irish Ports Association (IPA), the representative body for the Irish ports sector and an affiliate of IBEC, today welcomed the publication by Leo Varadkar, TD, Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport of the new national ports policy which sets out the policy framework for the future development of the sector.
Commenting on the new policy, IBEC Head of Trade and Transport Policy, Pat Ivory said: “ Ireland’s commercial ports are key pieces of national and regional infrastructure, which will play a key role in economic recovery by facilitating both trade and tourism. It is essential that we have coordinated action across Government departments in implementing the strategy.
“ It is important that the alignment of Ports of Regional Significance with local authorities be undertaken in a way that preserves the commercial focus of the ports’ operations. This will require harnessing the necessary commercial expertise at local authority level and a clear decision-making framework to be developed to facilitate future port development .”
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Press Release, April 4, 2013; Image: pstew