Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 145: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if his attention has been drawn that Dublin City Council is preparing a strategy statement which will set a framework for the development of Dublin Port in the context of the protection of Dublin's Bay; if he will make a submission to this strategy statement; if he will outline the aims of his submission. [18819/05]

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 147: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if his attention has been drawn to an application for the development of port facilities at Bremore in County Louth; the scope this application will have diverting tonnage from Dublin Port to release pressure on capacity; his Department's strategy in respect of developing satellite ports around Dublin as an alternative to further development in the congested Dublin Port. [18821/05]

Pat Gallagher (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 145 and 147 together.

When launching the ports policy statement in January 2005, I indicated that one of the key challenges ahead was the timely provision of adequate in-time port capacity. I noted that the internal resources of our commercial ports are not sufficient in general to fund large-scale infrastructure projects. I said this represented a significant challenge in view of the need for additional capacity at our ports over the coming years, particularly to cater for the growth in unitised trade. I indicated that the Department would consult with the commercial ports concerned to determine their view of port capacity and how they intended to deal with the projected capacity requirement.

As an initial step, the Department has sought and received information from the commercial ports, which handle unit load cargo, on key projects identified by them as essential to deal with anticipated capacity deficiencies to 2014 and beyond, and whether the ports see these being funded from their own resources or in partnership with the private sector. The new policy framework encourages all port sector stakeholders to address capacity provision. Drogheda Port Company has submitted information on its proposal for the development of a new deepwater port at Bremore in its response to the information request from the Department in relation to port capacity. The timeframe for the proposed development and the preparation of a detailed business plan are matters for Drogheda Port Company in the first instance. The Department has also received information on proposals for the provision of additional unitised port capacity ranging from Greenore Port to Shannon Foynes Port Company.

I cannot say at this stage which projects will meet the national capacity requirement. The new policy framework encourages all port sector stakeholders to address the issue of capacity provision. The Department intends in the near future to procure independent assistance from consultants to refine the criteria to be used for project evaluation, to draw up a uniform template for submission of detailed project proposals and to subsequently evaluate and prioritise the projects submitted as a basis for the Department's recommendation to Government. The Government expects that the port companies, as commercial entities, should be capable of funding their operations and infrastructure requirements without relying on Exchequer support. The port companies are, therefore, encouraged to seek financial assistance from other avenues such as private sector investment within ports.

Proposals for capacity provision for unitised trade at the ports concerned, including Dublin and Drogheda, will be considered as part of the above process. Dublin City Council informed the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources in March 2005 that it had adopted the Dublin City Development Plan on 14 February 2005 and the plan came into effect on 14 March 2005. The council stated that the policies and objectives in regard to Dublin Port set out in the development plan, include the preparation of a plan for that part of Dublin Bay, from and including North Bull Island and the South Wall and up to and including Sandymount, Merrion Strand and Booterstown and also concentrated on the port area. The plan will identify and determine the role of that part of the bay as an economic, amenity, recreational, environmental and ecological resource. The council indicated that its policy is to support the continued development of Dublin Port but that any such development would have to be considered inthe light of a plan being prepared and any material change arising from that plan being incorporated in the Development plan by way of variation.

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 146: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if the ownership of the foreshore has been established in the context of the proposal by Dublin Port to reclaim land from Dublin Bay; the implications for the assessment of the application which ownership will have; if Dublin Port has sought a lease from the State in order to proceed with this application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18820/05]

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 149: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he will publish his assessment of the environmental aspects of the application by Dublin Port to reclaim land from the bay in order that it will be considered by Dublin City Council in the context of developing a strategic plan for the Bay. [18823/05]

Pat Gallagher (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 146 and 149 together.

As I indicated in my reply to Question No. 230 of 18 May 2005, Dublin Port Company's application in respect of the proposed reclamation was made under sections 10 and 13 of the Foreshore Act 1933. Issues arose concerning proof of ownership of the area in question. These are being actively pursued by the State's legal services, acting on behalf of the Department, and Dublin Port Company's legal advisers. If it is established that the area in question is owned by the Port Company, the matter would fall to be dealt with under sections 10 and 13 of the Foreshore Act 1933. A full assessment of the likely effects on the environment of the proposed development would fall to be undertaken as an integral part of the Department's further consideration of the proposal.

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 148: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the number of vehicles entering and exiting Dublin Port during each hour of the day; his views on whether there is further capacity for moving port volumes to off peak hours. [18822/05]

Pat Gallagher (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The matter raised by the Deputy is an operational matter for Dublin Port Company. I have asked the company to provide the Deputy with the information sought.