Vol. 421 No. 1
37 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for the Marine if he will outline the proposed role of Dublin port for the development of the Irish economy over the next five years; if he has satisfied himself with the infrastructure that is in place in the port area; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Dublin Port is the principal multi-modal port in the country. In 1990 it handled 52 per cent in value terms and 24 per cent in volume terms of the State's seaport trade. With its pivotal position on the Central Corridor sea route Dublin Port will continue over the next five years to be a key port for Lo/Lo, Ro/Ro and bulk traffic. In 1990 Dublin Port handled in volume terms 54 per cent of Ireland's Lo/Lo trade, 60 per cent of Ireland's Ro/Ro trade and 15 per cent of Ireland's bulk trade.
Under the European Community's Operational Programme on Peripherality (OPP) the Dublin Port and Docks Board is providing additional port facilities to increase the port's capacity to handle Lo/Lo, Ro/Ro and solid bulk trade.
Under the Government's current OPP expenditure of over £18 million will be eligible for up to 50 per cent EC grant aid in the period to end 1993.
Dublin Port and Docks Board and its terminal operators have been invited to put forward proposals for funding under both the upcoming Cohesion programme included in the Treaty on European Union and the expected follow-up post 1993 Structural Fund Programmes.
These plans are designed to ensure that adequate port facilities will be in place to cater for the expected growth in port traffic over the next five years.
