Vol. 524 No. 2
98 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources if he will list all the approvals given for the development of the marina (details supplied) at Dún Laoghaire Harbour, County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22036/00]
118 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources when he last received a report from the chairperson of Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company; if the report referred in any way to the development of a marina (details supplied) at Dún Laoghaire Harbour, County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22037/00]
126 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the discussions or correspondence he has had with Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company concerning the contract entered into with a company (details supplied) for the development of a marina at Dún Laoghaire Harbour, County Dublin; the subject matter of any such contacts or correspondence; if they related in any way to the further control of the boatyard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22035/00]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 98, 118 and 126 together.
In January 2000 the Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company was granted a foreshore lease for a term of 99 years under section 2 of the Foreshore Act, 1933, for the purpose of the construction, use and maintenance of the marina and recreational development on the foreshore in Dún Laoghaire Harbour. This lease included a provision for the underletting of the marina to Marina Marketing and Management Limited. Consent was subsequently granted in September 2000 for the sub-leasing of the area of foreshore relating to the marina to Karnool Limited which is legally and beneficially owned by Marina Marketing and Management Limited.
In accordance with section 23 of the Harbours Act, 1996, the Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company was granted approval in December 1999, with the consent of the Minister for Finance, to borrow money for the construction of breakwaters and the provision of traffic management facilities for the marina at Dún Laoghaire Harbour.
My Department also provided, with the consent of the Department of Finance, a £3 million equity, and a sum of £850,000 in grant aid was also secured from the Ireland Wales EU Maritime INTERREG Community Initiative. I support fully the endeavours of the Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company in bringing this project to fruition.
As regards discussions or correspondence with the Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company and Marina Marketing and Management Limited the position is as follows. Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company advised my Department in May 1999 of its intention to enter into a contract with Marina Marketing and Management Limited to build and operate the marina at Dún Laoghaire Harbour. The harbour company advised that the selection was based on the recommendation of independent consultants following a tendering process under the terms of which eight separate proposals were considered and evaluated.
In May of this year I met representatives of the coal harbour users group who raised concerns regarding the future of the coal harbour and boatyard. On foot of that meeting the coal harbour users group met Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company, at my request.
In June 2000 following that meeting the harbour company detailed the position in relation to the future management of the boatyard by Marina Marketing and Management Limited. It advised that the rights of existing boatyard users are protected and guaranteed by the imposition of a number of conditions in contractual agreements with the marina company. The facility is also being opened up for use by a wider population.
The harbour company must operate under its commercial mandate, given to it by the Harbours Act, 1996, and I as Minister am precluded from interfering with the day to day business of the harbour company. I should mention that the boatyard is in the ownership of the harbour company and that no ministerial consents are required in relation to its management and operation.
As regards Deputy De Rossa's question on reports from the chairperson of Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company the position is as follows. In accordance with section 28(4) of the Harbours Act, 1996, the chairperson of each port company is obliged to submit to me as Minister, not later than six months after the end of each accounting year of the company, a report on various issues relating to the company.
I last received a report from the chairperson in April 2000 which outlined, inter alia, that Marina Marketing and Management Limited was awarded the contract to fund, construct and manage the marina in Dún Laoghaire. I have not received any other reports from the chairperson on the matter.
The Minister referred to the dispute between the coal harbour users groups and Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company over the use of the boatyard. Does the commitment regarding the protection of the rights of existing users extend to possible future public users of the boatyard?
Existing boatyard users are protected and guaranteed by the imposition of a number of conditions in contractual agreements with the marina company. The facility is being opened up for use by the wider population. Consequently, it would apply.
Will potential future users of the boatyard be required to deal with the private company, Marina Marketing Management Company Limited, or directly with Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company in respect of their use of the boatyard?
The overall management of the facility is a matter for Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company. Consequently, any questions which arise in the future will, in the first instance, be a matter for it. I am satisfied, however, that there is no basis for many of the concerns which have been expressed, which I accept are legitimate. While I do not want to become involved in the dispute, I have been keeping a watchful eye on it. I am satisfied that everybody, including the coal harbour users group, can live in harmony in Dún Laoghaire. There should be no major difficulties.
I thank the Minister for meeting the coal harbour users group. Will he continue to use his good offices to try to solve the difficulties which have arisen in the development of the marina? The Minister referred to an Exchequer commitment of £3 million and an INTERREG commitment of £850,000 for this project. Are any other applications being considered for either Exchequer or EU funding for the project?
While I do not know the answer to that question and would be happy to revert to the Deputy if any other applications have been made, I am not aware of them.
Will the Minister continue to use his good offices to help solve the difficulties between the coal harbour users group and Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company?
I have to be aware of my statutory position. I see no further benefit in my involvement, but, clearly, I want to see this problem—
There is probably money in it.
I am satisfied that all the issues raised by the coal harbour users group have been adequately provided for. The principal conditions included in the contractual agreement between Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company and Marina Marketing Management Company Limited are that the boatyard will be managed by the marina operator; the remainder of the coal harbour, including boat moorings, will be managed by Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company; the boatyard will be run as a public facility; the terms of the agreements with St. Michael's, Viking Marine Limited, Irish Youth Sailing Club, Dún Laoghaire VEC and Sail Ireland will be adhered to fully and honoured; the public will continue to have a right of way over and along the boatyard to gain unrestricted access to the slipway and boatyard, and the provision of a site within the boatyard at a nominal rent for the purpose of building a clubhouse for St. Michael's Rowing Club. These conditions will ensure the rights of existing users are protected in opening up the facility to the wider population. Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company's by-laws will be amended to clearly state that the boatyard will continue to be used as a public facility. I do not see, therefore, how I could have a further impact in dealing with the problem. I am satisfied, having regard to the agreements reached and the conditions laid down, that everybody's interests will be protected.
Does the Minister agree that there is huge potential nationally for the development of marinas and that we have a long way to go in their development? What incentives, help and encouragement is the Government providing for harbours and groups to develop marinas? What is Government policy in this area?
The Deputy should table a separate question. These questions relate specifically to Dún Laoghaire.
I apologise.
It would not be in order to widen supplementary questions.
