asked the Minister for Transport if a decision can be expected shortly on the application for a harbour works order in Dublin Bay.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dublin Bay Works Order.
5.
The application by the Dublin Port and Docks Board for a harbour works order to reclaim about 94 acres of foreshore opposite the Clontarf seafront includes provision for the reclamation of about five acres which would be required as a surface service area for the storage of gas (LPG) in underground caverns. As the Deputy is no doubt aware, the gas cavern project is currently the subject of a planning appeal being considered by An Bord Pleanála. I will give further consideration to the application for a harbour works order when the outcome of the planning appeal is available.
I presume it is the Minister's intention to refuse this application for a harbour works order. Why is there this long delay in making a decision?
It is as simple as this. The Deputy has been quoted in one of the Sunday newspapers some weeks ago as casting aspersions on my motives, which I want to utterly repudiate. The advice of the Attorney General is that it would be utterly wrong for me to make any decision in relation to the harbour works order while an appeal is before the planning appeals board. The Deputy has been told this on several occasions before and he should well understand the reasons for no decision at this time.
Is the Minister aware of this little document here, Put the Right Man Back, with a picture of the Taoiseach on the front? In that little document it states quite clearly——
It is not in order to quote at Question Time.
It states:
With respect to the harbour works order, Fine Gael policy is against granting any harbour works order.
Will the Minister say why there is a change of mind on this situation?
The Deputy can take whatever assurance he likes from the document he has just quoted from. I will make up my own mind in due course.
Are the people in Clontarf to take it that the commitment given in this document is untrue? It is in black and white. Why change at this stage?
The Deputy must not read into my reply any implications of change or otherwise.
How long has the appeal been before An Bord Pleanála?
Bord Pleanála held an oral hearing on 18 March last and I understand a decision by them is likely to be made in the near future.
Will the Minister's decision be influenced by the decision of An Bord Pleanála?
It would be completely wrong of me to speculate what my decision will be while there is a quasi-judicial process going on in relation to this case.
(Interruptions.)
Would the Minister now agree that there is a further broken promise because of the failure of the Government to speed up An Bord Pleanála hearings and decisions although a commitment was made by them?
Sin ceist eile. Ceist 6.
(Interruptions.)
May I ask the Minister another supplementary?
No, I have been very generous.
You have been very liberal this afternoon and perhaps I can indulge your liberality a little further.
Mean advantages are taken of people.
I would never take advantage of the Ceann Comhairle. Is it the Government's intention to honour their commitment?
The Deputy has asked that many times.
It is a very specific question. Very recently the Minister's colleague, the Minister of State——
That is a speech. Will the Minister please answer Question No. 6. It is the only way to get on.