asked the Minister for Transport if he has made a decision to grant or refuse the application by the Dublin Port and Docks Board for a harbour works order to reclaim 94 acres for future port development; if not, when he expects to be in a position to do so; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dublin Port Development.
15.
I have not yet made a decision on this application. Following publication of the statutory notice of the application by Dublin Port and Docks Board, a large number of objections was received from residents and other local interests. Arising from these objections I have had discussions with representatives of the Dublin Port and Docks Board in the matter and I have inspected the area proposed for reclamation as part of my consideration of the proposal. I hope to be in a position to make a decision on the application at an early date.
Is the Minister aware that the public have shown great concern about the Port and Docks Board's piecemeal attempt to take over inner Dublin Bay by stealth? They did not publish a public relations statement at the same time as they published the statutory notice. The public thought it was a planning application. The Port and Docks Board normally apply for three of four acres but here they are applying for 94 acres.
A question, Deputy, please.
Is the Minister aware of the great public concern? The public do not object to essential port development but will not concede 94 acres of inner Dublin Bay. Ireland is not Holland.
I am aware of the great public concern. The public may be confident that any plans of the Dublin Port and Docks Board will get fullest publicity and that this will be seen to by the Deputy who keeps a careful eye on it.
I have a number of supplementaries.
I am calling Deputy Reynolds.
The Minister said——
I am sorry, I have already called Deputy Reynolds.
I have a number of important questions.
The Deputy must sit down when I stand up to speak on the matter.
Would the Minister agree that because of the very grave public concern and in the interests of the Dublin Port and Docks Board to try to plan their operations in a forward and proper manner, an early decision is appropriate in this matter? Will the Minister give any indication to the House when he might be in a position to make that decision? Would it be two months, three months?
In a matter of weeks.
I have tabled several questions and they have been ruled out of order. I cannot find out at Port and Docks Board level what is happening in case of Dublin Bay in relation to the Port and Docks Board policy. They have no policy.
Deputy, you cannot make a statement. You must ask the Minister a question.
The Port and Docks Board's own plans do not relate to the Dublin city development plan. When I ask that question at the Port and Docks Board meetings they say that they relate to the regional plan. There is no regional plan. Is the Minister aware that the promise was made by the then Minister for Industry and Commerce in 1959 that there would be a national ports policy in relation to Dublin Port?
I am aware that the Dublin Port area does not come within the ambit of the Dublin Corporation development plan. I understand also that the Port and Docks Board have no objections to coming within the scope of Dublin Corporation for planning purposes and that it will require action by the Minister for the Environment.