Shock as Galway firm running Sligo Harbour
SHOCK has been expressed that the running of Sligo Harbour has been outsourced to a private construction company and Sligo Harbour Advisory Committee hasn’t met in almost 18 months.
In a report to the Council requested by Councillor Declan Bree, John O’Hara of Sligo Harbour Office said: “the last meeting of the Harbour Advisory Committee took place on the 25th of may 2015, with one scheduled meeting of the Committee to take place annually.”
He also said that the management and operation of the Harbour was outsourced in July to Galway construction company, Triur Construction Ltd.
Cllr Bree expressed his surprise at the news: “I assumed that the Harbour Advisory Committee would be meeting regularly. When was the decision taken and by whom that they would only meet once a year?” Cllr Bree added: “I’m surprised that the management of the port was outsourced. Has the Harbour Committee any role at all or id it there as a decoration? 18 months since they met? I just find it shocking.
“It would appear that the councillors and Harbour Committee have no input into the management of the port. I have concerns that the port may be sold off and funds not invested,” he added.
Council Chief Executive Ciarán Hayes said the Harbour Master retired at short notice last year and that the disposal of assets was “a matter for the Council members.”
Cllr Bree said if the stakeholders were not interested in the harbour “they should say so. It sends out the wrong message. Does the Committee just float along and never meet?”
Cllr Michael Clarke added: “We’d all be a bit concerned about the harbour if they’re not meeting. We can’t have that.”
Mr Hayes gave a commitment that the Harbour Advisory Committee would meet in the next 4- 6 weeks.