asked the Minister for Transport and Power whether his Department was consulted by Dublin Corporation before the Dublin Plan was made regarding the Dublin Port and Docks Board plan for Dublin Bay.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dublin Bay Plan.
3.
I have been fully aware of the provisions of the Dublin Corporation's Development Plan as they relate to the port of Dublin, since the publication of the draft Development Plan in 1969. I am also aware that correspondence has proceeded between the Dublin Port and Docks Board and the Corporation in regard to the implications of these provisions. The Development Plan acknowledges that the port is to be the subject of detailed long-term plans to be prepared by the Port and Docks Board. When the Port and Docks Board's own plans are available there will be formal consultation between the Government Departments concerned, the Dublin Corporation as the Planning Authority, and the Dublin Port and Docks Board. All other interested parties will be given full opportunity to examine and comment on the plans.
Is it not a strange state of affairs for Dublin Corporation to make a plan for the city region in total ignorance of the plan for the bay area that Dublin Port and Docks Board has under review?
The two bodies concerned are in close consultation. All the data is now available to the Port and Docks Board and it is known to the Corporation. There will be a harmonisation of the two plans, subject to overall planning authority and governmental approval, so as to ensure there is a balanced development between industrial and amenity interests.
Does the Dublin city plan stand for four years?
This is subject to the Port and Docks Board proposal which will have to be harmonised with the overall Dublin Corporation plan.
Does the Minister foresee an alteration in the present Dublin city plan?
This is conceivable.
Is it not a strange state of affairs that this plan should proceed without any notification of the Port and Docks plans?
As far as Dublin Corporation and Dublin Port and Docks Board are concerned they are working together. There is full exchange of information and a full consultation and any proposals which emanate from the joint consultations between the two bodies will be subject overall to Government approval and authorisation.
The Corporation know nothing about the plans of the Port and Docks Board.
Will the Minister assure the House that he accepts the principle of collective responsibility for the Dublin Port and Docks Board plan? This assurance that the Government accepted full responsibility was given by the present Minister for Finance prior to the last election. Does the Minister for Transport and Power acknowledge that the Government accepts full responsibility for any plans for Dublin Bay?
The facts of the matter are——
What did the Minister for Finance tell the Minister for Transport and Power to ask Deputy Belton?
I told the Minister for Transport and Power to ask Deputy Belton to quote.
Before the last election the Minister for Finance told the people in Clontarf that it would be a Government decision.
The Minister for Finance in the interests of the people of North Dublin whom he represents rightly stated before the last election that any development plans for the area would be subject to overall Government examination and authorisation. That is the position. I have already said that.
Does the Minister remember what he said about the County Hospital in Roscommon?
Leaving to another time the question of an assurance about an inquiry given by the Minister for Finance, can I ask the Minister whether what he has now said about these close consultations between the Corporation——
What did Deputy FitzGerald say the time he misled the House? Would the Deputy care to quote what he said and what I said?
We settled that one too. The Minister was properly shown up on that. Getting back to this particular Minister could I ask him whether his reference to close co-operation and consultation between the Port and Docks Board and Dublin Corporation at this time and the data now available to the Corporation means that the matter is being settled before the public see the plan contrary to the assurance given by him that as soon as the plan was ready it would be published? When the plan is published is it going to be open to us to make changes or are we going to be told it has all been fixed by the Corporation?
I do not think the House was listening to what I said in my reply. The facts are that the Port and Docks Board will publish their firm proposals within the next three months, they have all the data and they are actually preparing the proposals at present and they are in course of submission to the printers.
In consultation with the Corporation?
The Corporation are fully aware of them and there have been discussions between the two bodies concerned.
That is my worry.
These proposals will be published for the public, the media, Deputies and all interested bodies to make comments on. The Government, having heard submissions and comments from various interested parties and having had discussions with all the Departments concerned and with Dublin Corporation and Dublin Port and Docks Board, will then make a firm decision. The important matter is that the Government will ultimately make a Government decision on the proposed development. The development will be a properly harmonised one as regards amenity and industrial proposals.
(Interruptions.)
Will the Minister accept that he is totally incorrect when he says that Dublin Corporation are aware of the Port and Docks Board plans?
Not at this stage.
Not last week What does the Minister mean by "at this stage"?
There is complete change of data.
Not last week. Dublin Corporation were in total ignorance——
The Deputy is misinformed.
I suggest the Minister is misinformed. At what stage was Dublin Corporation notified of the plans?
I know there has been a complete exchange of views between the officials concerned——
Last week they did not know——
Could the Minister say how Dublin Corporation could have been notified before the public of Dublin were informed?
(Interruptions.)
What I have said is that there has been a complete exchange of views on the data available now.
Why should there be any exchange of views before——
I am calling Question No. 4. We have a large number of Questions on the Order Paper.
In view of the unsatisfactory reply, with your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to raise the subject matter of this Question on the Adjournment.
The Chair will communicate with the Deputy.