Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 316: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he will give support and advice to a company (details supplied) in their efforts to ensure all extra space in Dublin Port is used to the maximum benefit rather than infilling the 52 acres of Dublin Bay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34965/05]

Pat Gallagher (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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It would not be appropriate for me to interfere in the day-to-day operations of a commercial State body such as Dublin Port Company in the manner suggested.

In January 2005, I launched the Government's ports policy statement which aims to better equip the port sector and its stakeholders to meet national and regional capacity and service needs. One of the key challenges that lies ahead is the provision of adequate in-time port capacity, particularly for unitised trade. The policy statement sets out a framework to ensure capacity needs are identified, planned and progressed in a co-ordinated manner.

As an initial step in this process, the Department consulted with the commercial ports handling unitised trade to determine their view of port capacity and how they intended to deal with the projected capacity requirement. 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.

In addition, the Department recently appointed Fisher Associates consultants to, inter alia, draw up a uniform template for submission of detailed project proposals; assess the scope for efficiencies within existing areas of ports, including Dublin Port, handling unitised trade and advise on evaluating the projects submitted by the commercial ports with a view to the Department's recommendations to Government.

The purpose of this process is to satisfy the Government that the anticipated capacity requirement to 2014 and beyond can be efficiently and adequately met through the successful advancement and implementation by the port sector of some combination of the key projects referred to above, which have been the subject of an independent and expert evaluation. In addition, section 12(1)(b) of the Harbours Act 1996 provides that it will be the general duty of a port company to conduct its business at all times in a cost-effective and efficient manner.