Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 3 Nov 1992

Vol. 424 No. 8

Written Answers. - Dún Laoghaire Harbour Development.

Seán Barrett

Ceist:

25 Mr. S. Barrett asked the Minister for the Marine when he intends implementing the provision of the Dún Laoghaire Harbour Board Development Plan; when, in particular, work will commence on the updating of the car ferry facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for the Marine (Dr. Woods)

Earlier this year I published the development plan for Dún Laoghaire Harbour. This plan is a co-ordinated and balanced programme for the development of Dún Laoghaire Harbour which presents a strategy for the development of the harbour into the next century. It promotes a vision of a high quality environment with a balanced development of its commercial and public services, marinerelated activities, recreation and tourism potential.

The report of the Dún Laoghaire Harbour Board has been endorsed by the Government. The proposals in that report are an integral part of my policy for the development of Dublin Bay — a policy formulated following full consultation with all interests.

The next stages in the implementation of the development plan for Dún Laoghaire Harbour involves site investigation work, cost benefit analyses and other studies which are needed to underpin the expenditure set out in the Plan and to investigate the sources and costs of funds for the development. The early completion of these works and studies which will be undertaken in the context of plans for the full development of port facilities in Dublin Bay as a whole, and the optimum development of both Dublin Port and Dun Laoghaire Harbour, is essential in the context of securing funding from Structural Funds for ferry terminal facilities in Dublin Bay. As a first step in the process I expect that it should be possible to initiate very shortly site investigations at Dún Laoghaire Harbour.