asked the Minister for Tourism and Transport if he will make a statement on the development plans proposed by the Dublin Port and Docks Board; and his Department's attitude to the development of the Port of Dublin and its relationship with the surrounding amenities of Dublin Bay.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dublin Port Development.
3.
My Department have received from the Dublin Port and Docks Board within the past week a copy of the board's recent 5-year development plan for the Port of Dublin, 1977-81. I have not yet had an opportunity, therefore, of giving full consideration to this plan and would not be in a position to offer a comprehensive statement in the matter at this stage. It would appear, however, from a preliminary inspection of the plan, that the proposed new works correspond fairly closely with projects in respect of which the board have already applied to me for harbour works orders.
As regards the broader issues of the relationship of port development with the surrounding amenities of the bay, it may be relevant to point out that Dublin Corporation earlier this year made a special amenity area order in respect of some of the Dublin bay area. This order has been submitted to the Minister for the Environment for confirmation, together with certain objections to the order, including one by the Dublin Port and Docks Board. I understand that these objections have not been withdrawn and that, consequently, as laid down by the Planning Acts, a public local inquiry will require to be held by the Minister for the Environment. I understand that arrangements for the holding of such an inquiry will be made shortly.
Arising out of that reply, for which I thank the Minister, is he in a position to indicate whether plans recently received depart in any significant way from the studies published in the early seventies by the board which, because of the size of the expansion, gave rise to grave concern in the Dublin region?
I understand that the studies published in 1972 were essentially discussion documents. In themselves, they have no formal status as plans. As I pointed out, the development plan for the Port of Dublin would appear from a preliminary inspection to be somewhat similar to the projects in respect of which the board have already applied for harbour works orders.
The Minister's Department will have the final say in the sanctioning of these plans. Will the Minister give an assurance that he will take into consideration the environmental impact on the bay, which is used as an amenity area by approximately 30 per cent of the citizens of the State?
Every aspect will be taken into consideration before I agree to any plans submitted.
That is not the impression that many people have had in the past.
Arising out of the Minister's reply——
We have had enough on what is a local question. The Deputy may ask a short question.
With regard to the proposals which the Minister will be considering, will he give an assurance that local interests will be consulted? Secondly, will he consider that this is a matter of national importance and of an urgent nature in view of the impact of such plans on the Dublin region and the danger of piecemeal planning in the interim which, ultimately, may deprive his Department of the real power and authority in making this decision?
In my reply to Deputy Quinn, I said that every aspect will be taken into consideration when I make a decision on the various harbour works that are before me at present.
That is not an answer.