Ciarán Lynch (Cork South Central, Labour)
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Question 34: To ask the Minister for Transport the way his strategic review of Dublin Port and its future will operate with the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government's new task force on Dublin Bay; the objectives and responsibilities each new task force has; the Minister and the Department which has final jurisdiction over the future of Dublin Port; when a decision on the future of Dublin Port is expected to be made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32539/08]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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The National Development Plan 2007-2013 provides for a comprehensive study of the role of Dublin Port taking into account 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. The study will examine the feasibility and conduct a cost benefit analysis of various scenarios relating to Dublin Port, including:

Existing port activities continuing to expand with demand,

Relocating all or part of Dublin Port's existing activities to an alternative location(s),

Port activities continuing at current levels with growth being catered for at alternative locations. The Steering Group for the study, which is chaired by my Department, also has representatives from the Departments of the Taoiseach, Finance, Environment, Heritage and Local Government and Dublin City Council.

The Dublin Bay Task Force was established recently by the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government under the chairmanship of the Dublin Regional Authority. It will look at the Bay area as a whole and examine a wide range of issues that may impact on the future potential of the Dublin Bay area. Its main task is to prepare a draft Master Plan for Dublin Bay for the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, who may be expected subsequently to bring a report to Government on the matter. My Department's study of Dublin Port will be completed in advance of any final recommendations from the Task Force. It has been agreed that the Task Force will take full account of the Dublin Port Study findings in reaching its own recommendations.