Vol. 450 No. 7
103 Mr. Haughey asked the Minister for the Marine if he has received an application from the Dublin Port and Docks Board for a harbour works order to reclaim an area of 21 hectares at the Sealink freight terminal opposite Clontarf Road, Dublin 3; the mechanisms, if any, that are in place for the public to object to this proposal; if he has received objections; when a decision will be made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5704/95]
A current application for a harbour works order to reclaim an area at the Sealink freight terminal, now the coastal line terminal has not been received by the Department.
Dublin Port and Docks Board made an application, in December, 1987, to the Minister for the Marine for a harbour works order to reclaim an area of 21 hectares east of the Sealink freight terminal and to construct a quay on the river side of the reclaimed area. The application was advertised in the press and a substantial number of objections were received. The application was not proceeded with following a request, in January 1990, from Dublin Port to the Minister to defer making any decision until after the board's officials had completed discussions with the community groups concerned with the proposed development and a detailed report submitted to the Department. This report was not received.
In view of the length of time that has elapsed since this application was received. I consider that any proposal for reclamation of land in this area must be subject to a new application from the board.
The mechanisms in place to deal with a proposal for land reclamation in Dublin Port are set out under the Harbours Act, 1946 which empowers the Minister to authorise a harbour authority to construct, inter alia, quays, embankments or other works subject to such conditions and restrictions as the Minister thinks proper. Under section 136 of the Act, the Harbour Authority must publish such notice of the proposed Order as the Minister may direct so that any interested party may make representations or objections which the Minister must take into account in deciding whether or not to make the Order. Section 137 of the Act provides for the holding of a local inquiry in regard to a proposed Harbour Works Order, if the Minister thinks fit.
