Vol. 487 No. 3
39 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the progress, if any, on the development of the central sea corridor; if he will outline the recent investment and likely developments in Dublin port; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3897/98]
99 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the total investment in Dublin for the past five years; the actual benefit arising from this development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4047/98]
I propose to answer Questions Nos. 39 and 99 together.
Significant co-ordinated investment in ports infrastructure and shipping servicing the central Irish Sea corridor has been completed in recent years or is under way and nearing completion. The development of Dublin Bay port's facilities catering for ro-ro and lo-lo traffic has attracted new and improved services.
The Deputy will be aware that in March 1997 Dublin Port and Dún Laoghaire Harbour were vested as commercial semi-State companies under the Harbours Act, 1996. The effect of this is that the new Dublin Port Company and Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company will both be able to operate as commercial enterprises, free from undue control by the State to manage and develop services on a commercial basis.
The ongoing investment programme for Dublin and Dún Laoghaire of some £60 million funded by the port companies and port customers and co-financed, through my Department, by the EU from the Operational Programme for Transport, the Cohesion Fund and Ireland/Wales Maritime INTERREG Community Initiative will continue until end 1999.
The Dublin Bay ports are being provided with the infrastructure and flexibility to operate efficiently, effectively and ultimately benefit trade, tourism and the economy as a whole. The central Irish Sea corridor can now boast state of the art ro-ro facilities including upgraded marshalling acreage, new passenger facilities serviced by northern Europe's largest multipurpose ferry and the world's largest high speed ferry with new ro-ro vessels due to come on service later this year along with upgraded cranes and rail link to service lo-lo services from Dublin Port to Liverpool.
