Jimmy Deenihan
Ceist:2 Mr. Deenihan asked the Taoiseach if he will make a statement on the up-to-date progress on his efforts to promote the Shannon Estuary for industrial and port development.
Ceisteanna-Questions. Oral Answers. - Shannon Estuary Development.
I refer to the reply which I gave to a similar question on Wednesday, 7 October 1992.
Since that date, significant progress has been made in discussions with the Commission of the European Communities and other interests regarding the development of a series of Shannon related projects in energy, the environment, and clean technology. These projects include an ongoing feasibility study financed by the Commission of the European Communities regarding a possible role for the Shannon Estuary in the context of the Euro-Quebec Hydro-Hydrogen pilot project.
Progress has been made to develop scientific and technical co-operation between Ireland and Russia with grant assistance from the Commission of the European Communities and with the involvement, inter alia, of the University of Limerick.
The special economic development officer in my Department will be making a promotional visit to Canada towards the end of April 1993, accompanied by other relevant experts. Discussions have already taken place with Polish shipping interests which may lead to a pilot project for the provisioning of Polish ships being established at one of the ports of the Shannon Estuary.
International marketing is still continuing in relation to other countries outside of the European Community which could find a commercial advantage in using Ireland and Shannon as an economically-strategic trading bridgehead into the European Community.
Inputs by the relevant Departments of State and other relevant interests for the next round of the EC Structural Funds and for the Cohesion Fund, on an integrated economic development basis, are currently being co-ordinated by the Shannon Estuary staff project team within the Shannon Free Airport Development Company.
I hope the Taoiseach has the information I seek. Will he indicate what specific proposals have come forward in regard to the IDA land on the Tarbert/Ballylongford landbank? Is he prepared to give a guarantee today that the necessary funds will be provided from the Cohesion Fund for the provision of a proper road network, a proper water supply and public lighting for that landbank? The Taoiseach will be aware that this is the centre of the Shannon Estuary. Therefore, I would like him to be more specific in his response.
The Deputy's question in regard to proposals coming before the IDA should have been addressed to the Minister for Enterprise and Employment. In regard to the advances made since my reply to a question on 7 October, we are proceeding on the basis of trying to establish Shannon as a centre for clean technology and scientific research and development with significant support from DG12 and the science and research and development section of the EC Commission. They have financed a study on the development of new clean technology and have become part of that pilot project between Quebec and Hamburg. We want to put Ireland into that type of project development. Projects submitted to the IDA or seeking Cohesion Fund aid are separate matters. The Deputy can be assured that support will be forthcoming for whatever the Shannon Estuary area requires for development when we have the projects in place.
Will the Taoiseach be more specific? On the one hand he states he is monitoring progress on projects and when I asked him to name specific projects for the Shannon Estuary he stated it is the responsibility of other Departments. Will the Taoiseach be more specific and tell us what agency is monitoring progress on the Shannon Estuary at present? Who is responsible?
The Deputy is raising further specific questions.
I have given details of the specific projects being pursued by the economic adviser and development officer in my Department. Questions about the IDA should be put to another Minister.
The Taoiseach originally announced his plans for the estuary at the IMI conference and used the word "transhipment". Will he clarify if the transhipment idea is still feasible because he used the words "trading bridgehead" today? Will he clarify what he means by a trading bridgehead? The Taoiseach also used the words "clean technology" in relation to the estuary. Will he explain how proposals in the past for steel, smelter and oil refinery projects and so on come under clean technology?
I did not mention oil refinery projects for the Shannon estuary. I mentioned, and will continue to do so, the development of clean technology, research and development, involvement with the Russian Academy of Science and the arrival in Ireland shortly of people involved in scientific research who will work in conjunction with the University of Limerick.
Does the Taoiseach not know Russia has the dirtiest environment in the world?
I am surprised that Deputies from that region are not supportive of this kind of research and development. A grant of 2.7 million ECUs has been negotiated from the joint research centre of DG12 of the EC Commision in relation to the whole research and development of clean technology. Deputy Bruton may choose to smile but I can assure him that he will see new clean technology developments in the Shannon Estuary.
The Minister for the Environment, Deputy Smith, is sending experts over there.
The Russians are coming.
The Taoiseach may have to close Moneypoint.
He will be going to Chernobyl next.
I am calling Question No. 3.