Dan Boyle (Cork South Central, Green Party)
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Question 141: To ask the Minister for Transport if he has had discussions with Departments regarding the possible change of use of existing lands under control of Dublin Port to promote new residential development; if his Department has commissioned analysis or entered into discussions with the Port Company or Dublin City Council on the proposed development of the south docks as a residential area as has been suggested by Dublin City Council. [9204/06]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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Neither I nor my Department have had discussions on the possible change of use of existing lands under the control of Dublin Port to promote new residential development, nor has my Department commissioned analysis in the matter.

Dublin Port is a State-owned company established under the Harbours Act 1996. The Act provides that the principal objects of the company include the provision of such facilities, services and lands in its harbour for ships, goods and passengers as it considers necessary. The company is required to take all proper measures for the management, control, operation and development of its harbour. Decisions on the use of the land within the port estate are a matter for the port company.

I draw the Deputy's attention to the fact that, as indicated in Parliamentary Question No. 464 of 21 February 2006, a process involving our commercial ports handling unitised trade, including Dublin Port Company, is under way. The purpose of this process is to satisfy the Government that the anticipated seaport capacity requirement to 2014 and beyond can be efficiently and adequately met.