Lucinda Creighton (Dublin South East, Fine Gael)
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Question 96: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the position regarding the work of the Dublin Bay Task Force; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10170/09]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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The Dublin Regional Authority established the Dublin Bay Task Force at my request in July 2008, essentially to prepare a draft master plan for Dublin Bay and to make recommendations in respect of the institutional arrangements for coastal zone management in the bay. The task force operates under the aegis of the regional authority. To date, the task force has held a series of meetings, which are open to the public, conducted several public consultation seminars and carried out a significant amount of background research. The regional authority proposes to engage consultants to assist in the preparation of a master plan setting out options for phased developments in the period to 2030, screening for a strategic environmental assessment and undertaking an appropriate assessment under the Habitats and Birds Directives. However, this consultancy is contingent on a significant level of funding from the public bodies participating on the task force.