Responses to Parliamentary Questions 2025

Q: To ask the Minister for Transport the fuel storage capacity for marine and ground fuels for each Tier-1 and Tier-2 ports; the availability of tugs, emergency power and communications and the business continuity plans in place for prolonged grid or IT outages; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Dublin Port Company Response – 29 September 2025

Dear Deputy Devlin,
Dublin Port’s Oil Zone is responsible for the importation of approximately 4m – 5m tonnes of petroleum products each year. This accounts for 65% of the entire petroleum products imported to Ireland. Within Dublin Port’s Oil Zone there is approximately 265,000m3 of tank storage capacity for petroleum products, these private commercial stores are managed by third party operators. The National Oil Reserve Agency (NORA) also has petroleum products stored within Dublin Port.

Dublin Port Company (DPC) has a multi-year framework agreement in place with a commercial fuel distribution company, for supply of fuel for DPC’s use. Our understanding is that the majority of the fuel supplied to DPC, is sourced locally via the private commercial stores within Dublin Port.

DPC also has close relationships with each of the private commercial stores’ companies in Dublin Port and with NORA. There is a clear understanding amongst the stakeholders that the pilotage and towage services at Dublin Port require fuel to support arriving ships. Therefore the pilot and tug services at Dublin Port are of primary significance in any delivery priority.

Towage at Dublin Port is provided to shipping companies by competing towage companies. The tug fuel being Marine Gas Oil is delivered to Dublin Port via the commercial fuel distribution company under our existing framework agreement.

The DPC tugs require fuel approximately once per month in summer months and twice per month in winter months. There is an inherent resilience due to the size of the fuel tanks onboard the tugs. The pilot service is supported by a small to moderate sized storage tank located close to where the pilot boats are moored.

DPC have in place both fixed and mobile emergency back-up power generation systems for operationally critical assets (Roll-on/Roll-off ramps; Oil Zone Fire Fighting facilities; Information Technology).

DPC has extensive controls to mitigate the impact of a major IT outage.

In the case of a cyber-attack we activate our CSIRT (Cyber Security Incident Management Team) including DPC and our IT security partners and if serious enough will trigger our company EMP (Emergency Management Plan).

Our IT applications and systems have built-in redundancy and resilience. In the case of a major IT outage, we may activate our IT DR (Disaster Plan) including switchover to backup servers or in the worst case, restoring from offsite backups.
In the case of a prolonged IT outage, we make trigger the company BCP (Business Continuity Plan) which, depending on the scenario, may involve semi-automatic or manual processes to ensure ongoing working of the port.

Michael Lennon,
Company Secretary,
Dublin Port Company

Q: To ask the Minister for Transport to provide the details and addresses of all properties in the ownership of the Department that are absolved from paying commercial rates to the relevant local authority of the location that the property is in; to provide a similar list of properties for agencies or bodies under its remit that are also absolved from commercial rates, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter

Dublin Port Company Response – 29 September 2025

Dear Deputy Sheehan,
Dublin Port Company is not exempt from paying commercial rates and is liable for rates on all properties it occupies, as listed on the statutory valuation list. We pay any rates due in accordance with the valuation list.

Michael Lennon,
Company Secretary,
Dublin Port Company

Dail Question No: 547
To ask the Minister for Transport the details of the capital funding programmes or grants which his Department or anybody under his aegis has responsibility, for which sporting organisations are eligible to apply for; the details of any funding programme or grant that is currently open or the date when a subsequent prospective funding programme or grant is scheduled to be opened for which a sporting organisation is eligible to apply for, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter.]

Dail Question No: 548
To ask the Minister for Transport the details of capital funding programmes or grants which his Department or anybody under his aegis has responsibility, for which community organisations are eligible to apply for; the details of any funding programme or grant that is currently open or the date of when a subsequent prospective funding programme or grant is scheduled to be opened that a community organisation is eligible to apply for; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Dublin Port Company Response to questions 547, 548

Dear Deputy Geoghegan,
Dublin Port Company has significant community gain commitments in place as part of the Alexandra Basin Redevelopment (ABR) /MP2 capital development programmes. These are prescribed for specific purposes.

Our CSR policy stipulates that 1% of the average of the last three years Profit Before Tax be invested in CSR. This funding is presently committed to longstanding partnerships and programmes in the areas of sports, education, and community.
We are not currently looking to bring onboard new partners; but do keep our approach under review, to maximise the impact of our significant contributions to our neighbouring communities.

Michael Lennon,
Company Secretary,
Dublin Port Company

Q: To ask the Minister for Transport the amount spent by his Department and State bodies under its aegis on travel and subsistence in 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 and to date in 2025, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter

Dublin Port Company Response – 5 September 2025

Dear Deputy Sheehan,

Please see below amounts in respect of travel. The Company does not pay subsistence.

2021 €25,233
2022 €50,887
2023 €53,901
2024 €62,889
2025 YTD to July €50,192

Michael Lennon,
Company Secretary,
Dublin Port Company

Q: To ask the Minister for Transport the total spend by his Department on external legal services in each of the past three years; the main areas of legal activity for which external advice was sought; if he will provide a breakdown by case or category; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Dublin Port Company Response – 5 September 2025

Dear Deputy Boland,

I refer to Dail Question 390.

Please see below legal fees incurred by DPC over the past 3 years:

• 2022 €205,839
• 2023 €363,393
• 2024 €324,630

Michael Lennon,
Company Secretary,
Dublin Port Company

Q: To ask the Minister for Transport to provide a list of all Public-Private Partnership projects under his remit, including project name, contract value, and start/end date since 2010; and to confirm whether any projects have been subject to cost overruns, renegotiation or early termination since 2010.

Dublin Port Company Response – 20 August 2025

Dear Deputy Dolan,

Dublin Port Company has not agreed any contracts for Public – Private Partnerships projects in the period 2010 to date.
Kind Regards,

Michael Lennon,
Company Secretary,
Dublin Port Company

Q: To ask the Minister for Transport if his department, or any agency under its aegis, has procured services from a company (details supplied), including but not limited to internet connectivity, satellite communications, or associated technologies; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Details Supplied: Starlink, a satellite internet service operated by SpaceX.

Dublin Port Company Response – 21 July 2025

Dear Deputy Carrigy,

I can confirm that Dublin Port Company has not procured any services from Starlink.

Kind Regards,
Michael Lennon,
Company Secretary,
Dublin Port Company

Q: To ask the Minister for Transport if his Department and each agency or public body under its remit uses a formal contract management system or procurement tracking platform; to list the systems in use; and if they are centrally monitored or independently operated.

Dublin Port Company Response – 4 July 2025

Dear Deputy Dolan
I refer to Dail Question No 249 below:
Dublin Port Company (DPC) does not use a formal Contract Management System or Procurement Tracking Platform.

DPC maintains a Central Contracts Register however this Register is not part of any IT System or Platform.

Michael Lennon,
Company Secretary,
Dublin Port Company

A Chara,

Hope you are well, I’ve been contacted by many residences about a constant banging noise heard coming from the port, I’m just wondering if you could clarify what it was and when works are scheduled to be finished. I would really appreciate a response when you can please

Dublin Port Company Response – 4 July 2025

Good morning Barry,

Noise is currently emanating from the MP2 Project construction works which are taking place on the northern side of the port.

The noise is being caused by the impact hammer which is used for marine piling works.

The works are tidal dependent; therefore, the works will continue until the end of February 2026 and are scheduled as follows:

• Monday to Friday 0700 – 1900
• Saturday 0700 – 1800
• Sunday / Bank Holiday – no piling

We have noise monitoring stations in situ; the noise monitoring readings are checked weekly to ensure we are not in breach of noise levels as per our planning permissions.

In addition, we are working closely with the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group; a mammal observer is on board the onsite vessel watching for mammal movement to ensure safeguarding during these works.

Please accept our sincere apologies for any inconvenience caused.

If you any further questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Kind Regards,
Michael Lennon,
Company Secretary,
Dublin Port Company 

Q: To ask the Minister for Transport the number of IT projects within their Department, or bodies under its aegis, which have been allocated funds in excess of €1 million in the years 2020 to date; the purpose of any projects; the initial estimate to complete for such projects; the total amount expended to date; the total estimated cost to complete; the estimated timeframe by which they expected to be completed; by project; by year; in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Dublin Port Company Response – 18 June 2025

Dear Deputy Bennett,
Please see Dublin Port Company’s response below and I apologise for the delay in responding to you.

There were no IT projects greater than €1million in Dublin Port Company in the period from 2020 to date.

Q: To ask the Minister for Transport the number of cycle to work scheme applications processed by his Department and its agencies, affiliated agencies or subordinate agencies, each year from 2020 to 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Dublin Port Company Response – 13 May 2025 

Dear Deputy Devlin,
The number of Cycle to Work scheme applications processed by the Dublin Port Company each year from 2020 to 2024, are outlined below:
2020 7
2021 10
2022 7
2023 12
2024 9

Michael Lennon,
Company Secretary,
Dublin Port Company

Q: To ask the Minister for Transport to provide an update on the implementation of the Irish Sign Language Act 2017 (ISL) within his Department and its associated public bodies, including details of any ISL strategies that have been developed; and if no ISL strategy has been developed to date, the details of plans his Department has to address this gap in the near future.

Dublin Port Company Response – 28 April 2025

Dear Deputy Sherlock,

DPC is committed to treating every person with a disability as an individual, discussing their specific needs openly, and providing necessary support.

Employees with disabilities are encouraged to raise any difficulties with their supervisor or HR department promptly. We aim to create an inclusive environment by reviewing work practices, providing disability awareness training, and ensuring accessibility in the workplace. Recruitment processes are designed to avoid discrimination, and accommodations such as Irish Sign Language interpretation for hearing impaired candidates is provided.

DPC also focuses on retaining employees who develop disabilities, offering retraining and counselling as needed. Employees are invited to suggest improvements for a more disability-friendly workplace, and any complaints of unfair treatment are taken seriously and addressed appropriately. In line with our commitment to diversity and inclusion, we are proud to be working towards the bronze accreditation from the Irish Centre for Diversity.

This accreditation recognises our efforts to embed strong foundations of diversity and inclusion within our systems. Achieving this milestone will demonstrate our dedication to creating an equitable and inclusive workplace for all employees, including those with disabilities.

Michael Lennon,
Company Secretary,
Dublin Port Company

Q: To ask the Minister for Transport if he will identify any projects which a body under the aegis of his Department has underway with CeADAR, Ireland’s national centre for AI; if he will send this question to the bodies for direct response; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Dublin Port Company Response – 17 April 2025

Dear Deputy Geoghegan,

I can confirm that Dublin Port Company has no projects underway with CeADAR, Ireland’s national centre for AI.

Michael Lennon,
Company Secretary,
Dublin Port Company

Q: We have had a number of queries in from constituents concerning the upkeep and repair of the Bull Island Wooden Bridge.

I am aware that works were commenced in August 2022. Can you confirm if there are plans to carry out further works in the near future.

Dublin Port Company Response – 3 April 2025

Dear Deputy Ó Muirí

I refer to your email of the 31st March in relation to the Wooden Bridge and I can confirm that we will commence repairs to walkways over the next few weeks once materials arrive.

Once these are completed, structural enhancement works under the bridge will commence and these works will be carried out over the summer.

If you require any further information, please contact me.

Michael Lennon,
Company Secretary,
Dublin Port Company.

Q: To ask the Minister for Transport when his Department officials last met with the Data Protection Commissioner to ensure the highest standards are being met by the Department, and all agencies under its remit, in terms of compliance with data protection legislation.

Dublin Port Company Response – 3 April 2025

Dear Deputy Kelly,

No face-to-face or virtual meetings have taken place between officials from the Data Protection Commissioner’s Office and representatives of Dublin Port Company since the implementation of the General Data Protection Regulation and Data Protection Act in 2018.

Official contact with the Office has been made twice in this period to report data breaches which occurred in 2019, both of which were fully reported at the time to the subsequent satisfaction of the commissioner’s office.

Informal reference is also made regularly to the datacommission.ie website to research and clarify issues arising from time to time.

Dublin Port Company is committed to meeting its obligations under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and Data Protection Act 2018, employing a designated, experienced Data Protection Officer to monitor compliance within the Company.

Michael Lennon,
Company Secretary,
Dublin Port Company.

Q: To ask the Minister for Transport to detail the total expenditure on public procurement by his Department and its agencies, including spending on goods, services and works acquired through public procurement processes, in each of the past five years, in tabular form.

Dublin Port Company Response – 14 April 2025

Dear Deputy Dolan

Please see the table below which details the information requested:

Michael Lennon,
Company Secretary,
Dublin Port Company

Q: To ask the Minister for Transport the percentage of social media video accessible, such as providing the information or activities posted on each of his Department’s social media accounts, or the social media accounts of public bodies and agencies that operate under its remit, including closed captioning and subtitling and Irish sign language translations, between 1 January 2024 and 31 December 2024, inclusive.

Dublin Port Company Response – 9 April 2025

Dear Deputy Gannon,

Dublin Port Company published 229 social media posts in 2024. Of these, 5 posts were in Irish – 2%.

Michael Lennon,
Company Secretary,
Dublin Port Company

Q: To ask the Minister for Transport to provide a list of regulatory, appeal or other bodies, either funded by or under the remit of his Department, which are quasi-judicial in nature

Dublin Port Company Response – 4 April 2025

Dear Deputy O’Gorman,

I can confirm that Dublin Port Company is not quasi-judicial in nature.

Michael Lennon,
Company Secretary,
Dublin Port Company

Dail Question No: 299

To ask the Minister for Transport if all persons that are recruited to work in his Department and all the related agencies of his Department are fully vetted before they are employed by his Department and or said agencies.

Dublin Port Company Response – 4 April 2025

Dear Deputy Kelly,

Gardai vetting is not used within Dublin Port Company (DPC), in the standard recruitment process. Licences and certificates are validated as part of the recruitment process.

DPC employ four senior managers in the Land Operations function who are responsible for policing (Harbour Police) and security duties (Port Security), namely compliance with the ‘International Ship & Port Facility Security’ (ISPS) code.

All four managers hold a current Private Security Authority (PSA) licence, which means they are fully vetted by Gardai.

All contracted labour, namely Port Security are employed by our current security provider; Manguard Plus; and they also are fully vetted by Gardaí on behalf of the PSA before being issued with a PSA Licence.

In addition to the PSA all contracted labour employees are subject to induction/pre-employment screening by their employer.

Michael Lennon,
Company Secretary,
Dublin Port Company

Q: To ask the Minister for Transport if his Department, or any agency under his Department’s remit, have, since 1 November 2024, entered any contract in respect of a hotel (details supplied) or have had any discussions, or received any offers, in respect of using this premises for any reason; the details of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Details Supplied: The Glencarn Hotel, Castleblayney, Co. Monaghan

Dublin Port Company Response – 4 April 2025

Dear Deputy Carthy,

I can confirm that Dublin Port Company have had no discussions or received any offers in respect of using these premises for any reason.

Michael Lennon,
Company Secretary,
Dublin Port Company

Dail Question No: 349
To ask the Minister for Transport the number of members of boards in each body under the aegis of his Department who have a professional accounting qualification, for each of the years 2020 to 2025, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Dublin Port Company Response – 4 April 2025

Dear Deputy Geoghegan,

One Board member of Dublin Port Company in the years 2020 to 2025 had a professional accounting qualification.

Michael Lennon,
Company Secretary,
Dublin Port Company

Dail Question No: 350
To ask the Minister for Transport to identify, by body name and associated skills gap, any skills gaps identified by the chairperson of that board in correspondence to his Department or a Minister in respect of the composition of the board of the body referred, for each year between 2020 and 2025, in tabular form; to identify any body where the chairperson of that board never identified skills gaps to his Department or a Minister, by year and body; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Dublin Port Company Response – 4 April 2025
Dear Deputy Geoghegan,

There was a vacancy, and by extension, an associated skills gap, at Board level from July 2002 to March 2024 and the Chairperson identified this in his annual comprehensive reports to the Minister as appropriate.

Michael Lennon,
Company Secretary,
Dublin Port Company

Dail Question No: 351
To ask the Minister for Transport to confirm that for each year between 2020 and 2025 in respect of the boards of bodies under the aegis of his Department, at least one member of the audit and risk committee of that board has recent, relevant financial experience for each of those years; where that is not the case, to identify that body, by reference to the year or years where no so such member existed; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Dublin Port Company Response – 4 April 2025
Dear Deputy Geoghegan,

I can confirm that at least one member of the audit and risk committee of the Board has recent, relevant financial experience for each year between 2020 and 2025.

Michael Lennon,
Company Secretary,
Dublin Port Company

Dail Question No: 352
To ask the Minister for Transport to confirm that for each year between 2020 and 2025 in respect of the boards of bodies under the aegis of his Department, that the board has a terms of reference; where that is not the case, to identify that body, by reference to year or years where no terms of reference existed; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Dublin Port Company Response – 4 April 2025
Dear Deputy Geoghegan,

I can confirm that the Board of Dublin Port Company has had Terms of Reference for each of the years 2020 to 2025.

Michael Lennon,
Company Secretary,
Dublin Port Company

Q: To ask the Minister for Transport to list the functions, roles and services that were carried out and delivered by civil service or State agency workers; the cost to the State of each contract since the implementation of the Building Momentum public service agreement, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Dublin Port Company Response – 3 April 2025

Dear Deputy Ahern,

The Building Momentum public service agreement does not apply to Dublin Port Company

Michael Lennon,
Company Secretary,
Dublin Port Company.

Dail Question No 373
To ask the Minister for Transport to identify specific examples where artificial intelligence has been adapted for the operation of his Department and each body under the aegis of his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Dublin Port Company Response – 3 April 2025

Dear Deputy Geoghegan,
Dublin Port Company is trialling the paid-for version of CoPilot, the AI tool from Microsoft, with several senior executives and IT team members.

The data used is all within our Microsoft 365 tenancy with its inbuilt privacy and security.

Michael Lennon,
Company Secretary,
Dublin Port Company.

No. 35

To ask the Minister for Transport to provide a list of the private service providers who have received contracts from State agencies to develop or maintain a website over the past five years, in tabular form.

No. 34

To ask the Minister for Transport to provide a list of the spend over the past five years by each public body on the procurement of services to develop or maintain a website, in tabular form

Dublin Port Company Response – 26 February 2025

Dear Deputy Ó Snodaigh,

I refer to Dail Questions No. 35 and 34 below and I apologise for the delay in responding to you.

Dublin Port Company Response – 13 March 2025

Michael Lennon,

Company Secretary,

Dublin Port Company.

Dail Question No: 202
To ask the Minister for Transport if his Department or bodies under the aegis of his Department received funding support for projects of any kind from the United States of America International Development for the period 2016 to date in 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Dublin Port Company Response – 26 February 2025

Dear Deputy Nolan

I can confirm that Dublin Port Company did not receive funding support for projects of any kind from the United States of America International Development for the period 2016 to date in 2025.

Michael Lennon,

Company Secretary,

Dublin Port Company.

Q: To ask the Minister for Transport the number of vacant properties owned by bodies under his Department’s aegis; the number of derelict properties owned by bodies under his Department’s aegis; and if he will make a statement on the need to return them to use or dispose of them.

Dublin Port Company Response – 14 February 2025

Dear Deputy Bacik,

I can confirm that Dublin Port Company has no vacant or derelict properties at present.

Michael Lennon,
Company Secretary,
Dublin Port Company.

Q: To ask the Minister for Transport if his Department, or anybody under its aegis, currently directly employs cleaners and/or service officers; if so, the number of staff employed in each role; the value and length of any related contract, by body, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Dublin Port Company Response – 19 February 2025

Dear Deputy Mitchell,

We do not currently directly employ cleaners and/or service officers.

Michael Lennon,

Company Secretary,

Dublin Port Company.

Q: To ask the Minister for Transport if his Department, or anybody under its aegis, currently outsources cleaning services and/or service officer/security officer roles to private companies; the value and length of any related contract, by body, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Dublin Port Company Response – 19 February 2025

Dear Deputy Mitchell,

Please see in tables below details of outsourced security services and outsourced cleaning services which we have in place.

Michael Lennon,

Company Secretary,

Dublin Port Company.

Q: To ask the Minister for Transport if his Department and agencies under the aegis of his Department have policies on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) within the Department and those agencies; whether training has been provided to staff on the use of AI; if his Department has used AI, including large language models, in the preparation of legislation or statutory instruments; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Dublin Port Company Response – 24 February 2025

Dear Deputy Byrne

At present Dublin Port Company does not have a policy on AI and no formal training has taken place in relation to the use of AI.

AI is not used to any significant degree in the Company in the preparation of documents etc.

We are currently undertaking a review of all our IT policies, and it is envisaged as part of this review that a policy on AI will be drawn up and implemented.

Michael Lennon,
Company Secretary,
Dublin Port Company.

Q: To ask the Minister for Transport the number of vacancies, by month and by grade, in his Department, and in agencies under the aegis of his Department, in 2023 and 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Dublin Port Company Response – 19 February 2025

Dear Deputy Fitzmaurice

Please see tables which provides details of vacancies in 2024 and 2023 in Dublin Port Company:

2024

2023

Michael Lennon,

Company Secretary,

Dublin Port Company.

Q: To ask the Minister for Transport the number of civil servants in his Department, and in agencies under the aegis of his Department, who were on career break in 2023 or 2024, by month and grade, and by length of career break; the number of civil servants in his Department and in agencies under the aegis of his Department who were on career break for longer than five years or longer than six years in 2023 or 2024, by month, grade, and length of career break, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Dublin Port Company Response – 22 January 2025

Dear Deputy Fitzmaurice

I can confirm that no staff in Dublin Port Company were on a career break in 2023 or 2024, and no employees of the Company were on a career for longer than five years or longer than six years in 2023 or 2024.

Michael Lennon,
Company Secretary,
Dublin Port Company.