Vol. 431 No. 2
49 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for the Marine if he has received the report of the review group on port policy in Dublin Bay; if so, the recommendations made by the group; his views on the recommendations; when the Government will be making a decision regarding investment in Dublin Port and Dún Laoghaire Harbour; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
59 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for the Marine if he will clarify matters referred to in his statement at a reception in the Royal Irish Yacht Club, Dún Laoghaire, County Dublin on 25 March 1993, with particular reference to the promised investment in a new ferry terminal for Dún Laoghaire and the proposed 200 berth marina for the coal harbour, Dún Laoghaire.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 49 and 59 together.
I expect to receive the Consultants Report on the Dublin Bay Ferry Terminal Requirements Study within a matter of weeks.
On 25 March, I signed the contracts for a major site investigation in Dún Laoghaire Harbour.
In both a media release and in a statement at the signing function, held in Dún Laoghaire, I reiterated my commitment to the development of Dún Laoghaire Harbour both as a ferry terminal and as a major marine leisure centre.
The site investigation is a major step in advancing plans for the development of Dún Laoghaire. The results, when they become available around mid-year, will assist in the accurate assessment of costs and in the financial and commercial appraisal of alternative design options.
The combination of the results of the Dún Laoghaire site investigation, the report of the Dublin Bay Ferry Terminal Requirements Study, which as I have said is expected shortly, the ports development strategy to be set out in the National Development Plan and clarification of development plans for the port of Holyhead, including the possible introduction of new generation ferry vessels, will, I am very confident, clear the way for the finalisation of specific soundly based proposals for development of Dún Laoghaire Harbour, including marina developments.
