asked the Minister for Transport the Government's policy in relation to future harbour works orders for reclamation in Dublin Bay.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Dublin Bay Reclamation.
15.
Each application for a harbour works order for reclamation in Dublin Bay will be examined on its merits and a decision to grant or refuse an application will be taken in the light of the requirements for the development of Dublin Port. In arriving at a decision on any application, I will take into account, in conjunction with the views of the Dublin Port and Docks Board, any representations made to me in the matter by interested parties.
Is the Minister aware that his Fine Gael colleagues in that constituency, Deputies G. Birmingham and R. Bruton, gave a firm commitment to the electorate that there would be no further harbour works orders for Dublin Bay? That was a firm commitment. Is the Minister aware of that?
There were several representations from interested parties in relation to this application for a harbour works order. The Deputy will be pleased to know that his colleagues, Deputy Birmingham, the Minister of State, and Deputy R. Bruton are among those who have made strong representations.
The Minister has not answered my question. I asked him if he is aware that his colleagues made firm commitments prior to the last general election in relation to a harbour works order in Dublin Bay. Is the Minister aware of that?
I am responsible to this House as Minister for Transport for the decision taken. I have not given any commitments. I will make a decision, as I said, on its merits.
The Minister has indicated that there is no such commitment by the Government but this commitment was definitely given to the residents in Clontarf.
The Deputy is not asking a question.
In view of the widespread concern by the residents in Clontarf in the Dollymount area regarding the LPG storage situation—the particular area concerned in that planning application is part of an area under application at the moment for a harbour works order, and is part of 94 acres in Dublin Bay— what is the situation at the moment in relation to that particular application?
That is really a separate question and I am not in a position to answer it at the moment.
What are the Minister's views in relation to the granting of an amenity order for Dublin Bay?
These are all separate questions. All I can do is repeat that decisions on all those matters raised by Deputy Brady will be made on their merits and due consideration will be given to all the representations, including the representations by the Deputies for the area and the residents of the area. All those representations will be taken fully into account.
Question No. 16.
How can the Minister possibly say that it is a separate question?
I was about to say that the question put down deals with future harbour works orders. We seem to be drifting over the whole harbour policy in relation to Dublin Bay.
With all due respect to the Chair, we are referring to future harbour works orders. I am asking the Minister if the commitment given by his Fine Gael colleagues in relation to a future harbour works order is now being reneged on. The people in Clontarf will be very dissatisfied to hear that.
The Deputy should not jump to any conclusions. I said a decision has not been taken and due consideration will be given to all the representations made, especially the representations made by the Deputies of the constituency and by the residents. I do not think I should be pressed further at this stage.
A blanket commitment was given as far as harbour works orders in Dublin Bay are concerned. It was grossly dishonest of those people to do that, if it was not firm party policy.
That is a separate question.
Could the Minister give an assurance that whenever policy is decided it will not restrict in any way the development of Dublin port and the provision of jobs in that area?
The Deputy's question raises the other side of the coin. Of course due weight has to be given to all these matters before a decision is taken. I am anxious to make the best possible decision bearing in mind the case made on both sides and bearing in mind the interests of the people concerned.
Minister Birmingham has now come into the House. Would he tell his Minister of the commitment made to the people of Clontarf before the election?