Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 22 Oct 2002

Vol. 555 No. 5

Written Answers. - Port Development.

Richard Bruton

Question:

248 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the work he has undertaken to date in respect of the application by the Dublin Port authority to fill in part of the bay; if the foreshore in question is entirely within the ownership of Dublin Port, which is a necessary condition if the port authority is to avoid a public inquiry on the application; the number of objections which he has received; if he intends to engage independent consultants to assess the environmental impact statement of the port authority which was found on a previous occasion to be entirely defective; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19006/02]

Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources (Mr. D. Ahern)

Dublin Port Company applied on 7 March 2002 for approval, as required under section 10 of the Foreshore Act, 1933, for the reclamation of 21 hectares of foreshore in Dublin Port and for consent to deposit material on the foreshore as required under section 13 of the Act.

My Department had the environmental impact statement which accompanied the port company's application examined by experts to determine whether it meets statutory requirements and provides sufficient information to allow a decision to be made on the application. The expert report has just come to hand and is being examined in my Department.

A decision on the initiation of public consultation on the proposal will be made in the light of the outcome of this examination, which will be completed shortly. My Department has informed the port company that legal advice has been obtained that, by virtue of section 225 of the Planning and Development Act, 2000, planning permission is required for the proposed reclamation. I understand that the port company is considering the position in consultation with its advisers and will revert to my Department on the matter.

The Dublin Port Company has advised my Department that the area, the subject of the application, is within its ownership and that it will provide formal confirmation of this shortly.