Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)

I shall try to give the Deputy the factual position on behalf of the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, but if I may, I will keep away from the politics of Dublin South-East.

As the Deputy knows, the authority was established established under the Dublin Docklands Development Authority Act 1997, to lead the physical, economic, social and cultural regeneration of Dublin's docklands.

Section 24 of that Act requires the authority to prepare a master plan for the docklands area, setting out objectives for its social and economic regeneration. The authority's most recent master plan was adopted only a few months ago, in November 2008, following a comprehensive public consultation process. It envisaged the development of the Poolbeg area following the preparation of a comprehensive planning scheme.

The authority has now prepared and published a draft planning scheme for the Poolbeg peninsula under section 25 of the Dublin Docklands Development Authority Act. The draft plan details how it is envisaged that the area covered by the plan should be developed, and sets out policies in respect of land use, distribution and location of development, overall design, transportation, the development of amenities, and conservation. Copies of the Poolbeg planning scheme and the related environmental impact statement are available for inspection at various locations throughout the docklands. The closing date for submissions is 9 April. I am sure the Deputy knows this.

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