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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 1 Jul 1998

Vol. 493 No. 4

Other Questions. - Port Development.

Ivor Callely

Question:

26 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the level of new businesses that the improved central sea corridor has attracted; if he has satisfied himself that our central sea corridor and facilities at Dublin ports compare favourable to other ports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16003/98]

Significant co-ordinated investment in infrastructure amounting to some £60 million at Dublin Port and Dún Laoghaire Harbour, servicing the central Irish Sea corridor, has been completed in recent years or is under way and nearing completion. The development of the Dublin Bay ports' facilities catering for ro-ro and lo-lo traffic has attracted new and improved services with the level of business increasing significantly.

The success of these operations in attracting additional freight traffic is demonstrated by record throughput statistics for the central corridor which show a 136 per cent increase in ro-ro freight carried in 1997 as compared to 1994. Passenger numbers recorded a 20 per cent growth for the same period and the number of accompanied private cars and buses increased by 23 per cent.

Dublin Port's lo-lo traffic has grown by a very significant 46 per cent over the same period to 381,000 twenty foot equivalent units in 1997. The central Irish Sea corridor can now boast state of the art facilities catering for ro-ro and lo-lo traffic at the Dublin Bay ports which compare very favourably with other ports abroad.

I thank the Minister for his response and his involvement in and encouragement of the recent investment in Dublin Bay. Will the Minister encourage leaders in the business community to support Dublin Bay? His attention has probably been drawn to the promotion of a port outside our jurisdiction by one of the leaders of Irish industry. Will the Minister ask those who have used these new state of the art facilities to encourage others to maximise the full potential of Dublin Port? Is the Minister concerned about the increase in seabed levels, particularly where it affects watersport activities in the Sutton Creek area?

The facilities, services, standards and efficiency of the port provide the greatest encouragement for use. These are the main objectives of my Department. As Deputy Callely and Deputy Gilmore know, we have considerably increased the efficiency of the port and have reduced charges by 15 per cent, which is an important attraction. We are now looking at ways of reducing charges further to make the port more efficient.

As regards competition with other ports, the factors which matter are the speed of turnaround, the efficiency of operations and the facilities available. All the indications are that Dublin Port is shaping up well and is attracting extra business.

The rising seabed level around Dublin Port is a problem. This is a constant source of concern because of the need for dredging and the effects of the position of alluvium as the River Liffey enters the sea.

Will the Minister give an undertaking to discourage some of the Irish industrialists who have done so from signing their names to the 40 sheets around the city encouraging people to use other ports? One only has to look for 57 varieties to lead the Minister directly to the industrialist to which I refer.

The Minister has acknowledged the increase in seabed levels, in which I have an interest particularly as regards the Dollymount area — I know the Minister has an interest in the problem as regards the Sutton Creek area. This problem is impinging on water sport activity a matter on which I put down another question. Is there a programme for dredging the bay to ensure there will be no interference in activities which people have enjoyed over the years?

There is a serious problem with the build-up of sand. Dredging of the channel is economic and direct and must continue. Dublin Corporation is considering the implications for Dollymount Strand and we will give it any assistance or information we can. I recently provided some information on the cost of building a passageway under the main causeway to Bull Island in a reply to a question put down by Deputy Callely. These matters must be considered by Dublin Corporation in the first instance.

I will follow up the Deputy's question on the Irish business people to ensure we do not lose business in Dublin Port. However, 90 per cent of business in the Republic goes through the ports — in the entire country the figure is 99 per cent. The ports will continue to be busy as the Celtic tiger continues to develop. If we do not develop our ports we will not have many more Celtic tigers in the future. The ports are crucial to our economic development.

I am sure the Minister will agree the impressive performance of the central sea corridor between 1994 and 1997 is not unrelated to the political stewardship during that time. Does he believe Dublin Port, in particular, is capable of meeting the huge increase in demand for port services, mainly as a result of the increased level of economic activity? Has consideration been given to the development of the other ports on the east coast, in particular to the concept of a ro-ro facility at Arklow?

The question asks if the Minister is satisfied that facilities at Dublin ports compare favourably to other ports. Is he satisfied, for example, with the facilities at the ports of Balbriggan and Skerries, which are still under the stewardship of Dublin Port? Will he include a visit to those harbours in his schedule prior to the handover under the Harbours Act?

I will consider that suggestion.

The development of the central sea corridor started before 1994. I developed the concept of a corridor in 1992 when heated arguments were taking place about whether developments should take place at Dún Laoghaire or Dublin Port.

He is a visionary Minister.

I said that we should perceive the sea as a corridor. I exported perishable goods across it at an earlier stage in my life.

We know what they were.

I was familiar with the importance of the turnaround time and the speed of operations. I was often at the port at 5.00 a.m. It was once known as the most expensive lake in the world. I developed the concept of a central corridor in 1992 and the report was well under way at that time. Even though I had to keep my head down, I gave the go-ahead to the development at Dún Laoghaire. I am sure Deputy Gilmore had to lower his head even further because of the many objections to what we were doing at the time. I am pleased, however, it worked out well and that business has increased significantly.

I was a little concerned about the size of the HSS, but a few months ago I brought some Americans to Dún Laoghaire who were very impressed by the HSS. They said it must be the biggest in the world. That put it in focus and highlighted the significance of the service. Similar developments are taking place in Dublin. I am pleased one operation did not have to exclude the other. I am also pleased our successors carried on the concept of the central corridor. I give them credit for that because, at the end of the day, we are all working for the same country.

The Minister is very modest.

I compliment the Minister on developing the concept of a central sea corridor. I also acknowledge his indication of the need for continued investment in Dublin Port to meet the increasing demands of the Celtic tiger. I thank him for his response on the sea bed levels in the Dollymount and Sutton creek areas. I will report to Dublin Corporation on the matter and communicate with him.

Deputy Callely should come into the House more often.

Written Answers follow Adjournment Debate.

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