Galway Bay fm newsroom – There’s fresh hope that Galway Port will retain its status as a national port.
Transport Minister Pascal Donohue has announced the postponement of the transfer of the facility to Galway City Council for at least 18 months.
It follows the recent introduction of a Harbours Bill to the Dail which sought to downgrade a number of ports nationwide, including Galway, from national ports to ‘ports of regional significance’.
Galway Chamber of Commerce has welcomed the move – it says that Minister Donohues annoucement suggests that if the planning process is sucessful, Galway will remain a National Port.
Plans for the expansion of the port are ongoing and would involve the reclamation of 27 hectares from the foreshore and seabed, a deep sea berth and new quays, jetties and yards.
Frank Greene of Galway Chamber of Commerce says Galway Port will play a vital role in the counties future development.