asked the Minister for Local Government if, in view of obvious public concern, including that of his predecessor, he will review plans for Dublin Bay and ensure that natural amenities are preserved.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dublin Bay Preservation.
104.
The primary responsibility for the planning of the physical future of Dublin, including the preservation of the amenities of Dublin Bay, is vested by law in Dublin Corporation. The corporation's policies and development objectives are set out in the Dublin Draft Development Plan, 1968, which was on public display for almost four months last year. Before the plan is finally adopted, the corporation are obliged to consider all objections and representations received regarding it. I understand that over 1,400 objections or representations regarding the Dublin Bay area were received by the corporation and that these are at present being considered.
It is a matter for the corporation to decide whether any changes or modifications to the draft plan are required as a result of consideration of these objections and representations. Once the development plan is made, I would have power to require that it should be varied in respect of matters and in a manner specified by me, but at this stage it would obviously be premature for me to suggest that such action might be called for.
I understand that the bulk of the objections and representations received by Dublin Corporation in relation to Dublin Bay are concerned with the long-term proposals for reclamation and development in the port area which were published by the Dublin Port and Docks Board some years ago. I think I should make clear that these proposals were in outline form and were not intended to represent a definitive plan for the port area.
The draft development plan prepared by the corporation does not involve acceptance of these proposals. As the Deputy is probably aware, the Port and Docks Board have not yet completed the preparation of their definitive long-term plans. When these are available, they will of course have to be very carefully considered by the Departments concerned and by the planning authority. For my part, the Deputy can rest assured that, as Minister with overall responsibility for physical planning, I will be concerned to ensure that any development that is undertaken in the port area will take full account of the extremely important amenity values of Dublin Bay as well as the other important planning considerations involved.