Vol. 551 No. 2
29 Mr. Bell asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources his views on whether the European Union's habitats and wildlife directives are causing major problems for port companies regarding planning and development projects; his further views on whether the national development plan is already off course; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9059/02]
The provision of essential facilities at ports, including infrastructure and navigable channels, of its nature necessitates impacting on the local environment.
Notwithstanding the requirements of the specific EU directives referred to by the Deputy, each port company is statutorily obliged under the Harbours Act, 1996, as a general duty, inter alia, to have due regard to the consequences of its activities on the environment, the heritage, whether natural or man-made, relating to its harbour and the amenities generally in the vicinity of its harbour.
In addition, as an integral element of their strategic development plans, port companies must ensure development projects have full regard to compliance with all relevant EU directives. Eligibility for co-funding, whether from the EU or the Exchequer, is and always has been contingent on compliance with appropriate statutory national and EU planning and environmental permissions.
More than €220 million has been invested in port facilities under the National Development Plan 1994-1999. A targeted capital investment programme at seaports, to address identified future capacity deficiencies and infrastructural needs, is incorporated into the National Development Plan 2000-2006 and €180 million of essential investment is planned under the proposed measure. This will fulfil the commitment in An Action Programme for the Millennium for continued investment in necessary infrastructure to handle ever increasing volumes of tourism and trade. Exchequer funding of €58.4 million is provided towards this investment through the seaports measure of the local infrastructure sub-programme of the regional operational programme under two sub-measures, seaport infrastructure and capacity development and disengagement. Some 68 project bids were received with a nomi nal value of €331 million, leaving the measure heavily over-subscribed.
The Deputy will be aware that I announced an allocation of €1.664 million, under the infrastructure measure of the BMW regional operational programme of the national development plan, to Drogheda Port Company last December in respect of the completion of phase one of the Tom Roes Point development.
Additional InformationA total of €3.048 million was allocated under the equivalent measure of the southern and eastern regional operational programme to the Port of Waterford Company in respect of cranage and handling equipment at Belview Port. I expect to be in a position to announce a second round of grant aid allocations for commercial seaport development in the near future.
I thank the Minister for his detailed reply. Is he aware of a small group of people, led by one particular person, whose members have initiated 12 appeals against various port companies because of this issue? Is he aware that the same names are cropping up in different locations, including his own electoral area? If Government policy is to develop the ports, a balance will need to be struck between boards, nature and environment and full-time employment for people engaged by port companies.
I am aware there have been objections to developments in various locations. People obviously have the right to make those objections and port and harbour companies must comply with all planning and environmental regulations.
The same person has appeared 12 times.
I accept the Deputy's point. Delays have taken place and costs have been increased as a result of those objections. However, those citizens are within their legal rights to make objections.
Does the Minister agree that one person's making 12 objections or appeals in 12 different port areas is costing £50 million to £100 million? This includes the cost of delays, extra legal fees, charges and delays to work in at least 12 different port areas.
I cannot confirm whether that cost has resulted from these objections. However, there are costs involved. Irish and European law permits people to make objections. Objections are made to developments across the spectrum and our port companies are no exception.
The Minister is, however, aware of what I am saying.
