Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 16 December 2004
111 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources his views on the expansion in capacity at Dublin Port; when he expects that planning permission will be granted for such an expansion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34009/04]
View answerDublin Port is under the control and management of Dublin Port Company, which is in State ownership. The company is one of ten port companies established under the Harbours Acts 1996 and 2000 and operating under the aegis of the Department. The Harbours Acts provide that the principal objects of each of these companies include the provision of such facilities, services, accommodation and lands in its harbour for ships, goods and passengers as it considers necessary. Ireland's commercial ports are vital transport arteries, carrying 99% by volume of our external trade. However, the internal resources of our commercial ports are not sufficient in general to fund large-scale infrastructure projects.
The Department has drafted a comprehensive ports policy statement which I intend to publish in the near future. One of the major policy areas addressed by the policy statement will be how to meet the predicted deficit in seaport capacity. The Department has commissioned independent consultants, Baxter Eadie Limited, to prepare a series of reports on seaport capacity and future projected capacity needs. Earlier this year, Baxter Eadie Limited prepared a desk study update in order to identify the effect Ireland's changing economic circumstances have had on projected capacity needs at the seaports. The study takes into account current economic growth projections and looks at capacity up to 2014.
Looking to 2014, the study has found that traffic is expected to grow by 16.2 million tonnes, some 35% above tonnage handled in 2003, while growth in capacity over the same period is projected at a very low level, about 1% over the period. These projections are based on known changes which have full approval for implementation and do not include any other plans for infrastructure improvements. A capacity shortfall of 12.2 million tonnes is projected by 2014. The consultants state that the situation warrants decisions and further action in order to avoid increasing delays and congestion in some ports, particularly for unit load cargoes.
The Department recognises that the study by Baxter Eadie Limited is necessarily an inexact exercise, the implications of which will need to be checked against actual experience in each of the ports. In the context of the ports policy statement, it is necessary that a policy framework be put in place to ensure that capacity needs are identified, planned and progressed in a co-ordinated manner. The proposal by Dublin Port Company for the provision of a new port facility on the northern side of the port would fall to be considered within this proposed policy framework along with all other proposals from the public and private sectors to address the potential capacity deficit.
Dublin Port Company claims ownership of certain areas of foreshore in Dublin Bay, including the area in which the company proposes to reclaim some 21 hectares. Evidence of ownership of the area in question provided by Dublin Port Company has been examined for the Department by the Office of the Chief State Solicitor and it is expected that consideration of this matter will be finalised in the near future.
If it is established that the foreshore in question is in the ownership of the company, the proposed reclamation would fall to be considered under section 10, as amended, of the Foreshore Act 1933. Reclamation of State-owned foreshore, on the other hand, requires authorisation by way of a foreshore lease granted under section 2 of that Act. In either event, consideration of Dublin Port Company's application will involve a process of public consultation in which interested persons and organisations will have an opportunity to make submissions on relevant issues.
The EIS prepared by the company in respect of the proposed reclamation would be made available as part of any public consultation on the proposal. Certain matters relating to that document are under consideration. Dublin Port Company will also have to apply for planning permission for the proposed reclamation. As the Deputy will be aware, I have no function with regard to the granting of planning permission.
