asked the Minister for Transport and Power if he will consider taking steps to prohibit all reclamation by dredging, dry filling and tipping in Dublin Bay pending an independent public inquiry and the production of the short and long term plans by the Port and Docks Board.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dublin Bay Dredging.
8.
Current reclamation works affecting the foreshore in Dublin Bay have been authorised by me under the Foreshore Act or by way of Harbour Works Orders and there is no question of revoking this authority. Additional reclamation not so authorised would fail to be considered under the relevant legislation and in the light of the long and short term plans of the Port and Docks Board which are still awaited.
Can the Minister state when the Port and Docks Board will furnish the report?
To be candid, I am disappointed about the delay in furnishing the information to me. I hope to have it within the next three months.
Is the Minister aware that reclamation work has advanced along the Clontarf seafront to a greater extent than the residents of the area were given to understand?
I want to be quite definite about this. Certain orders were made some years ago. No reclamation works outside the specific authorisation of the regulations made have occurred. I am keeping a close eye on this.
Is the Minister aware that reclamation work has advanced far beyond the assurance given by the Minister for Industry and Commerce in the last election campaign to the residents of Clontarf?
That is not true.
The Minister should tell the residents of Clontarf this because they are under the impression that the Minister for Industry and Commerce in the last election campaign assured them that there would be no further reclamation in the Bay area.
I am being deliberately misrepresented.
I am only repeating what the residents say.
I shall be very glad to see a responsible deputation from the residents concerned and we can discuss the matter.
The Minister should meet the residents—he has not met them for a long time.
I am in closer touch with the residents than the Deputy.
I am calling Question No. 9.