Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)

We probably do not have time to go into this proposal in detail but following the Minister's earlier comments about developing our ports and harbours and the need for tourism and jobs flowing from it, I ask him to consider seriously this proposal, which would ensure better deployment of existing resources to the benefit of tourism, the port and Dún Laoghaire generally. Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council recently passed a capital budget of which I believe the Minister must approve before going through. That is my understanding but that can be checked.

The capital budget includes one of the flagship projects of €35 million for a library headquarters in Moran Park, which is near the harbour. This proposal is that we do not need to spend €35 million on a new library headquarters as there is an empty building owned by Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company nearby in public ownership and which could be used for far lesser cost for this purpose. The money which would then be available could be used to develop the Carlisle Pier project in Dún Laoghaire, containing a diaspora museum which could provide a significant boost to the area. The harbour and heritage facilities would be developed and tourism would be boosted. It would be a little like the Titanic proposals. The money could also be made available for developing Moran Park as a central park and redeveloping the Dún Laoghaire baths, for which very little money has been allocated despite significant public demand.

Will the Minister consider this as a better way to spend €35 million? Will he use his influence to bring about joined-up thinking on the matter?

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