Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 11 Feb 1999

Vol. 500 No. 3

Written Answers. - Freight Traffic.

Eamon Gilmore

Ceist:

11 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the number of trucks travelling through Dún Laoghaire port for each of the years from 1995 to 1998; the reason for the number of trucks travelling through the port; if his attention has been drawn to the serious traffic congestion caused by the trucks; and the action, if any, he will take on the matter. [3809/99]

Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources (Dr. Woods)

Since it was corporatised on 3 March 1997, Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company has been statutorily responsible under the Harbours Act, 1996, for the management, control, direction and development of the harbour as a commercial State company.

Stena Line operates a roll on/roll off service between Dún Laoghaire and Holyhead. Prior to the corporatisation of Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company in September 1995, Stena Line initiated a new freight-only service between Dublin Port and Holyhead. This service carried 3,000 units in 1995 rising to 52,000 in 1998.

I am advised that the number of freight units travelling through both Dún Laoghaire Harbour and Dublin Port and using the Stena Line service for each of the years in question is as follows:

Year	Dún Laoghaire	Dublin
1994	40,418	–
1995	40,713	3,000
1996	14,695	37,000
1997	32,663	44,000
1998	42,038	52,000

The growth in freight traffic illustrated by Stena Lines throughput at these ports reflects the economic buoyancy of the economy generally.

It should be noted that, despite unprecedented economic growth over the last few years, the number of freight units travelling through Dun Laoghaire is only marginally higher than 1994-95 figures whereas Dublin Port Ro/Ro throughput has nearly trebled over the same period.

I can confirm that representations have been made to me expressing concern in relation to traffic congestion and I have brought these concerns to the attention of the harbour company. I advise the Deputy, however, that Stena Line does not anticipate that the number of freight units using the harbour is likely to exceed the current market levels.