Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 218: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the position regarding the proposed 52 acre in-fill of Dublin bay; and if a strategy will be devised to develop ports along the east coast in order to relieve congestion in Dublin port and to ensure that Dublin bay is protected from this proposed in-fill. [27843/05]

Pat Gallagher (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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As I indicated in my reply to Questions Nos. 559, 560, 561 and 562 of 28 September 2005, certain issues arose concerning Dublin Port Company's title to the area in which it is proposed to carry out the reclamation. These matters have been the subject of detailed correspondence between the State's legal services and the company's legal advisors, and it is anticipated that they will be brought to a conclusion in the near future.

The application itself will be examined further, in accordance with the appropriate provisions of the Foreshore Acts, when these legal matters are concluded. The foreshore process will include a period of public consultation, providing an opportunity for interested persons or bodies to make submissions or observations on the proposal.

The proposed development will also require planning permission, and Dublin Port Company has been advised that it is more appropriate that the necessary consent under the planning process be obtained before the foreshore application is dealt with.

The Government's ports policy statement, which I launched in January 2005, addressed among other things, the issue of future seaport capacity requirements. When launching the ports policy statement, I indicated that one of the key challenges ahead was the timely provision of adequate in-time port capacity.

As an initial step, the Department sought information from the commercial ports which handle unit load cargo, including Dublin port, on key projects identified by them as essential to deal with anticipated capacity deficiencies to 2014 and beyond. In its response to this request, Dublin Port Company provided information to the Department concerning its proposal for the reclamation of 21 hectares of foreshore in Dublin bay.

As indicated in the ports policy statement, it is intended to prioritise a range of projects catering for unitised traffic at our commercial ports from an overall economic national and regional perspective, as opposed to the perceived requirements of individual ports. To that end, the Department recently appointed Fisher Associates, consultants, to advise on refining the criteria to be used for project evaluation; drawing up a uniform template for submission of detailed project proposals; assessing the scope for efficiencies within existing areas of ports handling unitised trade; and evaluating the projects submitted with a view to the Department's recommendations to Government.

As an initial step in their assignment, I understand that Fisher Associates will shortly consult with ports, including Dublin and other key stakeholders on the criteria to be used for project evaluation.