Vol. 221 No. 1
asked the Minister for Transport and Power if he is satisfied that the proposed extensions to Dublin Port are based on sufficient detailed investigation and research to meet the requirements of chapter 9, paragraph 47 of the Second Programme for Economic Expansion.
10.
asked the Minister for Transport and Power if he will give details of the total cost of the proposed extensions to Dublin Port; and the extent, if any, to which the State will participate in the financing of these extensions.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 9 and 10 together.
The proposed extensions to Dublin Port involving a total estimated expenditure of £2½ million will be selfsupporting and financed by the Port and Docks Board from their own resources without any assistance from the State. The extensions are intended to meet the requirements of new and expanding trade as envisaged in the Second Programme for Economic Expansion. I am satisfied that the Dublin Port and Docks Board have had regard to the criteria set out in the Second Economic Programme in drawing up their proposals.
Will the Minister not agree that the manager said the cost would be £4 million? Secondly, does paragraph 47 of chapter 9 not say that extensions should not be undertaken merely by way of providing general facilities in the hope of attracting new and unspecified business? Is this not mentioned in the second part of paragraph 47 of the Second Programme for Economic Expansion?
It is anticipated that the port requirements of Dublin, on the basis of growing trade, will include the proposed extensions and improvements. The cost of the scheme is not £4 million. The cost of the scheme for the coming year will be some £650,000; next year, it will be £650,000 also — all of which is being met from the finances of the Dublin Port and Docks Board.
