Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 411: To ask the Minister for Transport the discussions which have occurred regarding the future of port facilities on the east coast; if he has completed his review of investment priorities; the proposals which are under consideration in respect of Bremore near Drogheda and in respect of Dublin Port; and when the preferred development options will be decided upon. [2935/06]

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 412: To ask the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to the announced Progressive Democrats policy in respect of port development in Louth to take the pressure from Dublin Port; if there have been discussions at Government level; and if a joint policy position is emerging. [2936/06]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 411 and 412 together.

On 15 December last, the Progressive Democrats launched a discussion document, A New Heart for Dublin. According to the document it is intended to fuel debate and it invites submissions from interested parties.

In January 2005, when responsibility for ports policy resided in the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, the Minister of State with responsibility for marine affairs launched the Government's ports policy statement. The policy statement 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 that capacity needs are identified, planned and progressed in a coordinated 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. Both Dublin Port Company and Drogheda Port Company, along with other port companies, responded in this regard with information on their project proposals.

In addition, in September 2005, the Department appointed a firm of consultants expert in this field, Fisher Associates, to, inter alia, invite detailed project submissions from the commercial ports and evaluate those submissions. As part of this process the Department of Transport expects submissions from both Dublin Port Company and Drogheda Port Company with regard to their capacity plans.

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. It is envisaged that the final report of Fisher Associates will be finalised by the second quarter of 2006.

Drogheda Port Company has a well-publicised proposal to develop a new port facility at Bremore in north County Dublin. Drogheda Port Company updated my officials on the progress of this project at meetings in December 2005 and January 2006. In addition, I am informed that on Friday, 27 January 2006, Drogheda Port Company published a notice in the national and international press seeking joint venture partners in the project. The company is aware that participation in any such joint venture would require my approval, given with the consent of the Minister for Finance.