A former director of the Dun Laoghaire Harbour Company is calling for the accounts of the company to be published and given to the Oireachtas immediately.
Last October, it was announced that the company was to be dissolved and control transferred to Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council (DLRCC).
Dublin Gazette has previously reported concerns of local councillors over no government funding, to cover an estimated €38 million in debts from the harbour company.
However, at the time Minister Shane Ross told us: “This transfer is a net gain for local residents. The Port has money in the bank as well as substantial assets, all of which will transfer to Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council.”
Senator Victor Boyhan (IND) believes that the council has a “major financial liability” as a result of the transfer and this week, called for the final accounts to be published.
“Section 33 of the Harbours Act 2015 prescribes that the Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council present final accounts for the former Dun Laoghaire Harbour Company to the Minister for Housing Planning and Local Government within six months from the date of dissolution.
“That timeline has now lapsed.
“I am calling for audited accounts to be presented to the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government and will ask the Minister to arrange to have copies of Dun Laoghaire Harbour audited accounts and report laid before the House of the Oireachtas.
“At the point, I will forensically go through them and seek explanation on the financial controls and governance concerning the Harbour,” he said.
Senator Boyhan added: “[The council] now have a major financial liability, which has the potential to drain on council funds that they received from Rate Payers and Local Property Taxpayers.
“I believe that government must provide financial support to the council for a transitional period, to address the financial liabilities and exposure that the Council now find themselves in as a result of the transfer,” said Senator Boyhan.
Minister Shane Ross told Dublin Gazette: “I would be delighted to see the accounts published so that some of the mischief that has been made would be exposed.”
