Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 6 December 2007
42 Deputy Mary Upton asked the Minister for Transport his views on studies and proposals to relocate Dublin Port and the potential of sites such as Greenore, County Louth and Loughshinny, County Dublin; if he has reviewed the impact of the HGV policy in Dublin on the competitiveness of Dublin Port; if he will outline recently announced plans to fast-track the expansion of Dublin Port; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32792/07]
Amharc ar fhreagraDublin City Council recently conducted an eight-week public consultation on its Dublin Bay Study. The study looks at a wide range of economic, amenity, recreational and environmental issues linked to Dublin Bay, including the port area. In a submission to the consultants carrying out the study, my Department pointed out that Dublin Port handles the vast majority of trade for the Greater Dublin Area and beyond and is of vital strategic importance to the economy. Some 79% of the State's RoRo trade and some 62% of its LoLo trade was handled at Dublin Port in 2006. The National Spatial Strategy identifies strategic merit in relieving pressure on Dublin through targeted interventions in building up port capacity elsewhere. The National Development Plan proposes a comprehensive study of the role of Dublin Port, taking account of locational considerations, in the context of overall ports policy on the island of Ireland, wider transport policy, urban development policy, the National Spatial Strategy and national economic policy. The Council will submit the findings of its consultations to my Department for consideration as part of the NDP study. Preparations for this study will be initiated in the near future. With regard to Dublin Port Company's expansion plans, the company has for a number of years been developing a proposal to expand the port on the north side by reclaiming land on a phased basis. The company has had consultations with the Strategic Infrastructure Division of An Bord Pleanála, which has recently decided the proposal qualifies as strategic infrastructure. This is part of the pre-application stage in advance of any formal planning application. The HGV Management Strategy, which was introduced on 19 February 2007, is a matter for Dublin City Council.
