Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 281: To ask the Minister for Transport and the Marine the envisaged capacity of the proposed development of Bremore Port; and the extent to which it will fulfil the need for expansion of port capacity on the east coast and remove the pressure for expansion in Dublin Port. [21778/07]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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The Bremore proposal is in line with established ports policy. Subject to the necessary further feasibility, commercial and regulatory work, it also presents a unique opportunity to provide significant additional port capacity in a prime location on the east coast. It is intended to develop the new facility in a number of phases. The actual capacity of the first phase will be determined by the joint venture partners in the light of the further work referred to above which has yet to be carried out.

Amendment of the Harbours Act 1996 will be necessary to enable the joint venture to proceed. More generally, the existing legislation is more than ten years old and requires updating. My Department has made substantial progress in preparing the Heads of a new Harbours Bill to further support implementation of ports policy and to update existing legislation. I propose to seek early Government approval for the drafting of the Bill and I intend to pursue its enactment as quickly as possible.

I believe the Bremore project will help to promote competition while relieving congestion at Dublin Port. I think it is also important to reiterate that this proposal is being advanced as a stand-alone project and is not dependent or linked to any relocation of capacity from Dublin Port.

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 282: To ask the Minister for Transport and the Marine the respective roles of An Bord Pleanála in respect of an application for Dublin Port expansion to be treated as a critical infrastructure, the Dublin City Council which is preparing a strategic plan for the development of the entire port area as an amendment to the city development plan and his Department which is responsible for shaping national port policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21779/07]

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 284: To ask the Minister for Transport and the Marine the intended make-up of the task force on Dublin Bay; and its terms of reference and powers. [21781/07]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 282 and 284 together.

An Bord Pleanála's Strategic Infrastructure Division has responsibility for implementation of the provisions of the Strategic Infrastructure Act 2006. Dublin City Council is the local authority for Dublin City and, as the Deputy indicates, my Department has responsibility for national ports policy. Last week, Dublin City Council launched an 8 week public consultation period on its Dublin Bay Study, ending 30 November 2007. That looks at a wide range of economic, amenity, recreational and environmental issues linked to Dublin Bay, including the port area.

In a submission to the consultants carrying out the study, my Department pointed out that Dublin Port currently handles the vast majority of the trade for the Greater Dublin Area and beyond and as such is of vital strategic importance to the economy. Some 79% of the State's RoRo trade and some 62% of the LoLo trade was handled at Dublin Port in 2006. The National Spatial Strategy identifies strategic merit in relieving pressure on Dublin through targeted interventions in building up port capacity elsewhere.

The National Development Plan indicates that the Government will undertake a comprehensive study of the role of Dublin Port, taking account of locational considerations, in the context of overall ports policy on the island of Ireland, wider transport policy, urban development policy, the National Spatial Strategy and national economic policy. Dublin City Council has indicated that their Dublin Bay study is aimed at launching a public debate. The Council will submit the findings of their report and any public submissions they receive thereon to my Department for consideration as part of the NDP study. Preparations for this study will be initiated in the near future. I have no proposals for a task force on Dublin Bay.

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 283: To ask the Minister for Transport and the Marine if he has completed his review of port capacity need; and when he will publish the Government's plans for the sector. [21780/07]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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In 2005/06 UK consultants, Fisher Associates, in conjunction with the Department carried out a port capacity study. This report was delivered to the Department in June 2006. Seven ports made detailed submissions regarding their proposals for increasing unitised capacity. In October 2006, the Department published an Information Paper outlining the broad conclusions of the study, which is available on the Department's website www.transport.ie. My Department is continuing to actively monitor the capacity situation. I am encouraged by the fact that the ports continue to make significant progress with their proposals.