Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 7 Nov 2000

Vol. 525 No. 2

Written Answers. - Dublin Port Company.

Seán Haughey

Question:

252 Mr. Haughey asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the action he has taken regarding in-fill activity by Dublin Port Company at the Stena car ferry terminal without the necessary foreshore licence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24057/00]

Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources (Mr. Fahey):

In early October, my Department received a complaint that the Dublin Port Company, DPC, had undertaken works at the Stena Terminal without the appropriate consent under the Foreshore Acts, 1933 to 1998. My Department undertook to investigate the matter and immediately arranged a meeting with the DPC.

At the meeting the DPC admitted that development works were ongoing at the former B&I/current Stena terminal. The DPC stated that it was infilling an area of approximately 0.5 hec tare and that contractors were on site. The company, which owns the foreshore in question, said that, through an oversight, it had overlooked seeking statutory permission.

The DPC was instructed to stop all unauthorised works immediately. The company did so and stated that it would submit a foreshore application to regularise those works.

The DPC submitted an application for a consent under the Foreshore Acts. A public consultation process was initiated on 11 October 2000 when the project was advertised in the national press. The public was invited to make written submissions in relation to the application within 14 days.

The public consultation period has now ended and five submissions were received. As stated in the public advertisement, these submissions have been forwarded to the Dublin Port Company for their response. Once the company has had an opportunity to comment on the submissions, and the technical and scientific staff available to me have had an a opportunity to consider both the submissions and the company's response, a final report will then be made to me and I will make a decision on the matter.