FG fuming at Ross for transfer of debt-ridden harbour

FINE Gael is furious with Transport Minister Shane Ross over the damage being done to its electoral ambitions by the controversial transfer of the Dún Laoghaire port to the council.

The transfer has landed the cash-strapped council with a possible €33.4million bill and Fine Gael are shipping the blame for the move.

One senior source said: ‘This is typical Ross; he has pulled a fast one, got a huge debt off his books and now we are the ones shipping the blame.’

And as an election draws ever closer, the issue of just who will pay the port’s debts is accelerating swiftly. In the wake of an emergency council meeting local senator Victor Boyhan joined the fray, warning that there might be a viable legal case against the minister for the transfer.

Mr Boyhan said: ‘Is €33million a reasonable ‘liability’ to transfer and did the minister fail in oversight of the harbour company resulting in this debt?’

One Fine Gael source noted: ‘If we are not very careful, Ross and his port scheme will allow Richard Boyd Barrett to get back into the Dail by default. And if he does it will be at our expense.’

The Department of Transport is believed to have been aware of difficulties in the harbour company for several years.

One senior Fine Gael figure also blamed Mr Ross for the debacle, noting: ‘Ross has royally f@*%ed us. This is his parting gift to us. Hopefully, if Josepha Madigan shares out her vote, we will have one for him via Neale Richmond.’