Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 840: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will protect and care for the health and management of the greater coastal area of Dublin Bay by including (details supplied). [26003/06]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I refer to the reply to Question No. 987 of 25 April 2006. The waters of Dublin Bay, along with the rivers that drain into it and the associated coastal waters and groundwaters, form part of the Eastern River Basin District for the purposes of the Water Framework Directive. Dublin City Council is the coordinating authority for the preparation of a single river basin management plan which must be prepared and adopted in relation to the District by 2009 by all the relevant local authorities.

Dublin City Council has a policy objective in its development plan to prepare a plan for part of Dublin Bay which will identify and determine the Bay's role as an economic, amenity, recreational, environmental and ecological resource. The City Council, in conjunction with the steering group, intend to commission a wide-ranging study of Dublin Bay, including the Port area, with the aim of identifying and agreeing with key stakeholders a guiding framework for its future overall development. The tender process for the study has commenced, with expressions of interest invited by 10 July.

I also understand that the Dublin Regional Authority is proposing to establish a Dublin Bay Association with a view to producing a Masterplan for Dublin Bay, including the Port area. As an initial step in the process, the Dublin Regional Authority recently organised a series of discussion fora for consideration of the various issues involved. The City Council and Regional Authority will coordinate activities in this regard. My Department will continue to liaise with other relevant Government Departments, agencies, local authorities and regional authorities in this matter.