Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 11 Jun 2003

Vol. 568 No. 2

Written Answers. - Port Development.

Richard Bruton

Ceist:

101 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he will lay before the Houses of the Oireachtas, the recent consultative report which he obtained on the application by Dublin Port to fill in Dublin Bay; the terms of reference given to the consultants; if he intends to make a decision on the foreshore licence prior to the lodging by the Port Authority of a planning application to Dublin City Council on the matter; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that Dublin City Council has only recently commenced the process of revising its development plan which will for the first time prepare a planning framework within which applications to fill in part of the bay can be considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15857/03]

Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources (Mr. D. Ahern)

The consultants in question were engaged to provide an expert assessment of the environmental impact statement, EIS, submitted to my Department by Dublin Port Company in connection with the proposed reclamation of an area of some 21 hectares in Dublin Bay. As matters arising from this report are under consideration at present, it would not be appropriate to make it available at this time. Officials of my Department intend to discuss with the port company the timing of the application for planning permission for the proposed reclamation relative to the further consideration of the application made to my Department in accordance with the Foreshore Acts, 1933 to 1998. It would not be appropriate for me to comment on any matters that may relate to the consideration of the application for planning permission to be made by the port company.