Vol. 484 No. 4
16 Ms Fitzgerald asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the current situation regarding the development at Ringsend, Dublin 4 of a roll-on, roll-off cargo terminal; his views on the impact, if any, of the increasing heavy goods vehicles traffic in the adjoining area; and the steps, if any, he will take to protect local residents. [22237/97]
I am advised that Dublin Port Company has no plans to have a ro-ro facility at Ringsend. While I am advised that there is a ro-ro ramp at Berth 44, South Bank Quay, this ramp has not been in use for some years. Dublin Port Company has no plans, at present, to bring this terminal into use.
Is the Minister aware of the terrible problems experienced in Dublin 4, particularly in Ringsend, Irishtown and Sandymount because of congestion at the port and the fact that facilities were moved from Dún Laoghaire to Dublin Port? The quality of life in these areas has deteriorated rapidly and there was an accident recently in Irishtown which could have had serious implications for schoolchildren. Will the Minister give an assurance that he will take every precaution to ensure traffic levels do not develop to such an extent that the quality of life in Sandymount, Ringsend and Irishtown is obliterated?
There are no plans to proceed any further along these lines. Any plans would have to receive planning permission and Dublin Corporation would obviously be very concerned about that. There are five ro-ro operators based at Dublin Port namely, Irish Ferries, Pandoro, Merchant Ferries, Sea Containers and Stena Line. All these operate from termini on the north side of the river, none operates from the south side.
They cross the river over the East Link bridge .
I appreciate they may cross the bridge but one would need to put a tunnel along the front of Sandymount to allow them access there. I am aware that traffic problems can occur in the areas referred to by Deputy Gormley. There is no question but that Dublin Port is growing apace. The completion of the north side tunnel would make a great difference to traffic levels as people would be able to take the M50 and join the road at Whitehall to access the port. That is probably what will happen in future.
Considering the phenomenal success of Dublin Port over the past years and the increased economic activity at all our ports, what progress has been made on the proposal to develop a new ro-ro port at Arklow? This would obviously have the effect of providing an additional facility on the east coast and would have the added benefit of siphoning off much of the port traffic which is currently congesting the city and overloading Dublin Port.
If the Deputy wishes to put down a question on the matter, I can give him a detailed reply. I met the Arklow port committee which is anxious to have its port developed. Its members pointed out that such development would remove some of the traffic from Dublin Port. That proposal would have to be analysed in great detail to assess its feasibility and viability. Some aspects of the proposal are being considered.
However, this question is about the ro-ro terminal on the southside. There is one there but it will not be used for that purpose. The other ro-ro facilities are on the northside. Besides, if there were to be a future use for the facility, there would have to be planning permission for it. There is a general problem but it relates to the roads infrastructure.
Deputy Fitzgerald asked me to deal with this question as she had to attend a committee meeting on Estimates for the Department of Defence. She asked me to point out the general problem with traffic in the area, to which Deputy Gormley referred. Have consultations taken place between Dublin Port and representatives of the communities in these areas to allay their concerns and to discuss the issue? A truck overturned there recently and caused chaos. People were held up for more than three hours. It would be a good public relations effort if Dublin Port at least met the communities and discussed their concerns.
I will ask the authority to have such a meeting. The authority is a separate body.
