The Government of Ireland's Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport Leo Varadkar, informs that the Cabinet has approved the draft General Scheme of a new Bill with important implications for Ireland’s vital port sector. The Harbours (Amendment) Bill 2014 will allow the five designated Ports of Regional Significance in Drogheda, Dún Laoghaire, Galway, New Ross and Wicklow to transfer to local authority ownership at a future date, in line with Government policy to strengthen local government. These five ports play an important role through tourism, leisure amenity, and regional trade. The Government has decided that their future is best secured under strong local governance. “This is an important Bill for the ports sector, which plays a major role in the Irish economy.