Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Question 729: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when he will establish a Dublin Bay area task force; the proposed purpose of the task force; and the way it will be composed. [17809/07]

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 755: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will provide details of the Dublin Bay area task force which is to be established; if this will be an internal departmental task force or if it will consist of relevant stakeholders; and the terms of reference and objectives of the task force. [17364/07]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 729 and 755 together.

It is my intention to hold discussions with both Dublin City Council and the Dublin Regional Authority who are both progressing plans for the Bay area, and liaise with other relevant Government Departments and stakeholders regarding the overall management and co-ordination required to positively advance a future framework for Dublin Bay.

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. In 2006, the City Council, in conjunction with a steering group, commissioned 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 Dublin Regional Authority also intends 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 organised last year a series of discussion fora for consideration of the various issues involved and invited formal submissions from interested parties.