Vol. 433 No. 3
45 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for the Marine the proposals, if any, he has to upgrade the facilities connected with the central sea corridor; his views on whether this corridor has great potential for development and job creation; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
A number of Dublin Bay Port Project proposals related to the development of bulk, unitised and passenger facilities, have been submitted to the Department of the Marine for consideration in the context of the preparation of the national plan for the utilisation of the next round of Structural Funds. It will not, of course, be possible to make final decisions on any of the projects submitted until such time as the ports allocation under the national plan has been determined.
I am satisfied that the development plans for Dublin Port and Dún Laoghaire harbour will help maximise the central sea corridor's potential for cheaper and more efficient shipping operations.
The development strategy which underpins the proposed central sea corridor port development programme is focused on improving competitiveness and expanding the capacity of the internationally traded sectors of the Irish economy. The programme is directed at supply side factors and offers significant potential to influence the rate of growth of the productive sectors of the Irish economy, including tourism, and to increase employment.
