Vol. 406 No. 8
4 Mrs. Barnes asked the Minister for the Marine if he has received the report from the interim Dún Laoghaire Harbour Authority promised for early 1991; and if he will outline any discussions he has had with the authority in relation to proposals in the plan for the future development of the harbour.
(Limerick West): The Interim Dún Laoghaire Harbour Board are at present drafting an outline development plan for the harbour which will encompass the commercial and recreational amenities of the harbour alike.
At the outset of their deliberations, the board identified as a priority the need to secure the operation of the ferry terminal and invited Sealink, the harbour's main commercial user, and CIE to submit development proposals for the future operation of the facility. The board are currently considering the proposals.
I understand that the board's development plan for the harbour will incorporate an agreed proposal and specify how development will impinge upon the ferry terminal facilities. I do not wish, however, to pre-empt the board's consideration of this matter or any other element of the plan.
I thank the Minister for his reply. My question included the information that the report was due in early 1991. Have interim discussions taken place with his Department in drafting this plan? Is he aware of the extreme urgency and the effect this is having on job creation in Dún Laoghaire while the recommendations of this report are not being implemented? Is he aware of how long running this development plan has been?
(Limerick West): I would not agree that the development plan is long running. The plan was expected early in 1991 and we are not gone too far into 1991 yet. I expect the plan very shortly. I sought and obtained advice from the interim board on a number of occasions since their establishment and I hope to have further discussions shortly before the plan is put on display. I have discussions with the interim board on such matters as the increase in rates, the development of amenities for Dún Laoghaire Harbour Week and, from time to time, on any matters that may arise, I have sought and obtained the advice of the board and they have been very supportive.
A brief and final question.
Can the Minister give the House a firm date when the report will be presented and the development plan published?
(Limerick West): My priority is not to urge the board to speed up their report, but to ensure that the report is good, that it includes all that should be contained in it and that the board get their plans right. Having said that I expect to have the report within the first six months of this year, if not earlier.
The time for dealing with priority questions is now exhausted. We now proceed to other questions. Questions No. 6.
