asked the Minister for Transport and Power if arrangements have been made to bring port development in Dublin, including land reclamation, under the control of his Department; and if so, what action he proposes to take in regard to such development.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Dublin Port Development.
48.
As indicated in reply to previous questions on this subject the Dublin Port and Docks Board have published long-range draft plans for the development of the port for many years ahead but the various stages of development provided for in these plans will be subject to the controls provided for in the Harbours Acts, the Foreshore Act and the Local Government (Planning and Development) Act, 1963, as appropriate, which provide for the giving of public notice and consideration of objections. There is no question of the board proceeding with the implementation of plans without the agreement of the planning authority. An assurance to this effect has been received from the Port and Docks Board. The Government will examine the board's plans in due course in the light of local and national considerations.
Is the Minister aware that prior to the general election, in fact, a week before it, the Minister for Industry and Commerce announced that the Government rather than the Dublin Port and Docks Board were now taking responsibility and, if so, will he state if the Government have gone ahead with the scheme and what progress has been made in the matter?
I shall be replying to that question later.
The Government in effect, and rightly so, as the elected body of the Oireachtas and of the people generally, are responsible for all major developments and the financing of them.
Is the Minister aware——
Will Deputy Belton please allow Questions to continue. I have already pointed out that there are 148 questions on the Order Paper. Question No. 49.
——that immediately prior to the general election the Minister for Industry and Commerce announced, to the satisfaction of the local residents there, that the Government were now taking responsibility rather than the Port and Docks Board? If the Government have taken full responsibility, are they proceeding on those lines?
The Government are the elected Government of the Irish people and take full responsibility for all developments in every sphere of human life.
49.
asked the Minister for Transport and Power if he will state with reference to a reply of 8th July precisely what alterations it is proposed to retain on the East Pier at Dún Laoghaire; the purpose of these alterations; and why it is necessary to wait until the end of the year to determine whether the new permanent facilities are satisfactory, especially in view of the fact that the car ferry services for this year will have terminated well before the end of the year.
I suggested in my reply on 8th July that some of the works at the East Pier might be regarded as a useful amenity and retained. I mentioned the ramp access to Marine Parade as an example but no decisions have in fact been taken in this matter yet. The views of local interests will be taken into consideration before any decisions are taken.
The Deputy will, I am sure, be glad to know that car ferry operations at Dún Laoghaire will continue until November and will be resumed for the Christmas season. I consider it essential to have the benefit of experience of winter operation of the new terminal before dismantling the temporary terminal at the East Pier.