15 July 2025
By Elaine Murphy
elaine@TheCork.ie

If River Lee at Cork City docks stops being dredged, it could stop courtesy visits by Foreign Navies, and Tall ships such as the recent ‘Pirate Ship’

The Green Party in Cork has said renewed attention on maritime facilities as part of the Cork Luas and city docklands consultations means the Port of Cork cannot “pull the plug” on the city.

The party says the Port of Cork’s decision to leave the city is fundamental to the questions raised by river users. The party says the Port of Cork must recognise its obligations to the city, subsequent to the transfer of its operations to Ringaskiddy and the Lower Harbour.

Answering a question from Green Party councillors, Oliver Moran, on the consequences of the Port’s decision to leave the city at Monday’s meeting of Cork City Council, Director of Services, Niall Ó Donnabháin, confirmed:

1. The Port of Cork Company has agreed in principle to transfer the City Quays to Cork City Council over a number of phases.

2. However, no rights or obligations with respect to the management of the marine operational element of the River Lee would transfer to Cork City Council as part of the sale.

3. The Port will retain the option to use the selected quays for layby berthing and vessel logistical support. However, the agreement excludes any ongoing cargo operations.

4. Cork City Council and the Port of Cork will enter into an agreement on berth use (“Berthing Policy Agreement”) to manage the use of the quays.

5. If the Port of Cork Company no longer requires the use of the city quays for layby berthing then the Port of Cork will have no further obligation and dredging of the river channel and berths will be completed under a separate commercial agreement between Cork City Council and the Port of Cork Company.

Welcoming further clarity on arrangements, Green Party councillor, Oliver Moran, said:

Green Party councillor, Oliver Moran

“The consultations on the Cork Luas and the docklands have put attention on a relatively small section of the river. However, fundamental questions about maintenance dredging of navigation channels, berthing and mooring facilities, and how these will impact vessels of different sizes, will go with the Port of Cork’s exit from the city. Those questions are foundational to the city itself and for continued maritime use of the river as we know it.

“During the Port of Cork consultation on their masterplan for 2050, I pointed out how the city and the port share a coat of arms. We have a shared history of being a maritime and port city intertwined for over 1,000 years. If the city needs to step forward into that role now then we need to, but the Port of Cork cannot simply pull the plug on us and walk away.”

At the meeting on Monday, councillors agreed to prepare a river-use management plan for the city and to re-establish a docklands committee comprised of 15 members of council.