I am grateful for the opportunity of raising this matter on the Adjournment, and I am also grateful to the Minister of State at the Department of the Marine, Deputy Eamon Gilmore, who has special responsibility for harbour development, for being present.
The Minister will recall that last June during the debate on the Dún Laoghaire Harbour Bill, when we were both Opposition spokespersons I raised, as he did, concerns about an increase in the movement of heavy freight traffic through Dún Laoghaire as a result of the development. Deputy Woods, who replied on behalf of the then Minister for the Marine, Deputy Andrews, said:
The principal development will be in the area of passenger and car services... With the introduction of B & I's new super ferry, the proportion of trucks going through Dublin Port should increase and the Dún Laoghaire share decline.
Will the Minister of State confirm that this is the case? What is his view on capping the freight volume through Dún Laoghaire at 1993 levels?
The Minister is aware that a lobby group has proposed that all truck traffic be re-routed through Dublin port, that car traffic be maintained at a level suitable for the existing road capacity; that the total number of ferry sailings into and out of the harbour should be restricted; that a speed limit of eight knots be imposed on ferries in the area between the Kish lighthouse and the harbour and, finally, that the transport of hazardous cargo should not be allowed. I am sure there should not be a great deal of difficulty in implementing some of those proposals. Of major concern is the level of traffic through Dún Laoghaire.
When the development was initiated it was generally expected that the Carlisle pier would be redeveloped for leisure and amenity use. I would like the Minister to give an assurance that this will take place and that moneys will be made available as soon as possible to fulfil that expectation. I am concerned that European funding for the development does not appear to have been approved as of yet and I would like to know the position in regard to this funding. Will the Minister state the up-to-date position on European funding?
The traffic problem is of major concern in Dún Laoghaire. This predates the involvement of any lobby group. As I stated during the debate on the Dún Laoghaire Harbour Bill, there must be an effective plan for town and port generated traffic. At present port generated traffic accounts for less than 10 per cent of all traffic through Dún Laoghaire but that underlines how essential the traffic plan is as there is a traffic problem. Even though the environmental impact statement says there will be no significant impact caused by traffic following the development of the ferry terminal and the implementation of traffic management measures, there are grave concerns that, in fact, it will. It is essential that the fears that have been aired are allayed. I support wholeheartedly the establishment of a committee to advise on and monitor traffic. What support can the Minister give to ensure that any work done is effective?
The Minister realises all too well the difficulties we have in Dún Laoghaire. As a constituency colleague he was very involved in the county council before being appointed Minister of State. I hope he will be able to respond to the many problems raised, particularly over the past number of months by the local representatives on the county council.
