James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)

I welcome the Minister's initiative in this area because it has major implications and possibilities for Dublin North where it will be located. Will the Minister use the opportunity afforded by the harbours Bill to ensure that provision is made to avoid the situation that has arisen in Skerries Harbour where dredgers have been abandoned and left for several months at a time? There will also be a significant opportunity to exploit the tourism potential of the area. The introduction of car ferries might also be considered, as well as the possibility of creating a marina at Balbriggan Harbour.

The Minister said that this is a standalone project but I know he agrees with my suggestion that this development not take place in isolation but that there will be proper connectivity, including an outer orbital road which will draw traffic away from the port, to Navan, Trim and Naas to connect with other roadways. The people of Balbriggan have recently suffered enough excessive development, without the contingent infrastructure. I hope that the Minister for Transport will use his good offices and influence with his fellow Ministers to ensure that we get the educational, law and order and other facilities that the people of Dublin North, particularly Balbriggan, so badly need.

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