asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is aware that persons living on Haulbowline island, naval personnel, civilian labour employed by the Naval Service and others having business on the Island are not allowed to use the new bridge erected by Irish Steel Holdings Limited between the island and the mainland; and if he will take immediate steps to ensure that these people are accommodated.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Use of Haulbowline Bridge.
16.
The new bridge at Haulbowline was constructed for the purposes of the steel industry and for other industrial purposes which may develop in the future. It is not a public bridge, both ends of the bridge and its approaches being within the property of Irish Steel Holdings Ltd. to which the public have no right of access. The extent to which the bridge should be allowed to be used by the public is not a matter within my functions but, from the information available to me, I have no reason to think that the company are acting unreasonably in the control of their property.
I am informed by the company that, to avoid interference with the primary purpose of the bridge and for reasons of security and to avoid danger to persons and property, it is necessary to limit and control the use of the bridge and that they consider that a permit system will always be necessary for this. They cannot say, at present, how far it will be possible to issue permits.