The House will now hear two minute statements on matters appropriate to the Minister for Tourism, Transport and Communications and the Minister for the Marine. I call Deputy Seán Ryan.
Adjournment Debate. - Tourism, Transport and Communications and Marine Matters.
The Minister will be aware of the ongoing campaign by various groups and organisations, including the Labour Party — initially as a busway — to reopen the Harcourt Street line, which was closed 30 years ago. This would be of huge benefit both environmentally and economically for the people of the South County Dublin area, particularly as traffic congestion on the way into the city has reached frightening proportions.
As a result of a report in the Evening Herald of 5 February last, which stated that Cabinet approval for the opening of this line had been secured, approximately 60,000 people in the South County Dublin catchment area are under the impression that this line will be reopened in the very near future. In view of this, I ask the Minister to outline the Government's position on this important matter to confirm whether the Cabinet have approved this project and whether finance is available for it. Has this project been taken into account in the allocation of EC Structural Funds or will it have to await inclusion in the next phase of the Cohesion Fund? When can people expect buses to use this route, which is very important to the people of this area? I look forward to having the Minister clarify the position in regard to this matter.
Tá mise buíoch freisin gur ardaigh an Teachta an cheist agus go bhfuil deis agam freagra a thabhairt dó. As the House will be aware, an expert group were established to assess and report on the most suitable transport options for the Harcourt Street line. The remit of this group has been extended to include examination of the possibility of developing a light rail system for Dublin. The detailed work of the expert group in relation to the Harcourt Street line is now nearing completion. In that context it has already been accepted by the Government in principle that the Harcourt Street line should be reopened as a public transport facility. However, a number of important issues in relation to the project remain to the finalised. These include the different public transport options, engineering and operational considerations, capital and operational costs and the availability of the necessary resources.
As regards the mode of public transport which will ultimately be provided on the Harcourt Street line, I believe that in the event of sufficient resources being available on a city-wide basis for Dublin, light rail may have been the desired public transport option. However, that option would be dependent on the availability of substantial levels of EC assistance. Depending on the level of funding available bus-based options could also have an important role to play. However, until the full level and extent of EC support which may be available for funding major public transport developments in Dublin is known it is important that all options in relation to the development of the Harcourt Street line be preserved. In this regard an examination is under way of the the possibility of commencing work in relation to the reopening of the alignment which would be common to both a busway option and a light rail development. This work could include expenditure on site surveying, preparation of the necessary engineering and technical specifications, investigation of traffic management implications as well as investigation in relation to the possible need to relocate existing underground services. Discussions are being held with the EC authorities in relation to possible funding for this work under the current Operational Programme on Peripherality.
In view of the fact that Sealink Stena Line, Dún Laoghaire Harbour's main user, have expressed a strong wish to remain in Dún Laoghaire I ask the Minister for the Marine to indicate his support for the retention of the ferry terminal at Dún Laoghaire. Without the ferry service there would be no Dún Laoghaoire Harbour. The ferry is by far the major source of income and its retention is of vital importance to the livelihood of many people in the Dún Laoghaire area and beyond. There are compelling reasons for the retention of the ferry service. Dún Laoghaire is Ireland's premier passenger port. Twice as many passengers use it — 1.2 million last year — as Dublin Port and, more important, the harbour pays its way. The harbour is 45 minutes nearer to Holyhead per round trip than is Dublin Port, with consequential savings. Dún Laoghaire provides alternative competition to Dublin Port and has an excellent record of industrial relations. While Dún Laoghaire will never be a freight port only, nonetheless almost 5 per cent of our national exports go through the harbour. It seems that we need the capacity for some freight handling in a port near Dublin. Strategically, dependence on one port only in the Dublin Bay area would not be sound policy.
When the interim Dún Laoghaire Harbour Board put their draft development plan for the harbour, now nearing finality, on display over 500 written responses were received from individuals and groups. The harbour board are fully committed to the retention of the ferry terminal. In their view its continued existence is compatible with the amenity role of the harbour. As I indicated at the outset, Sealink Stena Line have expressed a strong wish to remain in Dún Laoghaire. The company's proposed investment in Holyhead, for example, and their commitment to increasing off-season traffic is an essential complement to the development of Dún Laoghaire.
The ferry is by far the major source of revenue for the harbour. No amount of leisure-type development would generate sufficient income to maintain the harbour. Without the ferry there would be no Dún Laoghaire Harbour. I look forward to the Minister's reply.
I have no plans to transfer the ferry service from Dún Laoghaire. I am aware of the overwhelming support of the people of Dún Laoghaire for the retention of this service and fully appreciate the importance they attach to its continuation. The recommendations of the Dún Laoghaire Harbour Development Plan will be of considerable assistance to me in considering the alternatives available in Dublin Bay for the development of berthage and terminal facilities in the future.
I met this afternoon with Professor Dermot McAleese, Chairman of the interim Dún Laoghaire Harbour Board, who presented me with an advance copy of the development plan for Dún Laoghaire Harbour. It is my intention to make the report available soon. I know it is eagerly awaited by many interested parties and I intend to have it published without delay. In the course of my meeting with Professor McAleese we discussed the future development of the harbour and the board's role in assisting me in achieving and overseeing that development.
The interim Dún Laoghaire Harbour Board were appointed in January 1990 to advise on the management and development of Dún Laoghaire Harbour. The board will report to the Minister for the Marine until such time as a harbour authority is established on a legislative basis.
The board prepared a Draft Development Plan for Dún Laoghaire Harbour in April 1991. A public exhibition of the details of the draft development plan was mounted which included a scale model of the harbour. This display took place over a series of special public exhibitions in Dún Laoghaire. Almost 7,000 people visited the exhibition and 500 submissions were received by the board in response to the draft plan.
Since then the board have spent the intervening months engaged in a careful examination of the submissions received. The development plan now prepared represents the outcome of the board's deliberations and the decisions taken following a through examination of the comments and valuable suggestions received on the initial draft. This plan should serve as a blueprint for the development of Dún Laoghaire Harbour for the remainder of this decade and well into the next century.
The Dáil adjourned at 5.40 p.m. until 10.30 a.m. on Friday, 6 March 1992.