Barry Ward (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)

Throughout the country, there are only three sites that have UNESCO world heritage status, namely, Brú na Bóinne, the Giant's Causeway and Sceilg Mhichíl. Dún Laoghaire Harbour is a site of particular significance, nationally and internationally in the context of the role that it has played in the history of this country. It is a Victorian harbour that has seen the emigration of tens of thousands of Irish people to the United Kingdom. It is a harbour that has, unfortunately, benefited from very little investment in recent years, particularly during the lifetime of the harbour company, and it is in disrepair in real terms. Has the time now come to invest in Dún Laoghaire Harbour, not just in terms of its physical infrastructure, but its future by recognising it as a world heritage site and seeking to have it added to the list of UNESCO world heritage sites?

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