Lucinda Creighton (Dublin South East, Fine Gael)
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Question 571: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if the Dublin local authorities have been informed that they are to fund the work of the Dublin Bay Task Force; if not, when they will be instructed to do so; the amount each Dublin local authority will be required to allocate towards the work of the Dublin Bay Task Force; the estimates which have been agreed for 2009; the year this funding will commence; and if the required cutbacks in local authority spending include funding for the work of the Dublin Bay Task Force. [15214/09]

Lucinda Creighton (Dublin South East, Fine Gael)
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Question 572: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the way the make up and membership of the Dublin Bay Task Force was decided; if he appointed the members of the Dublin Bay Task Force directly; the way the chair of the Dublin Bay Task Force was appointed; and the term of office for the membership of this task force. [15215/09]

Lucinda Creighton (Dublin South East, Fine Gael)
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Question 573: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when he will begin drawing up the necessary legislation to enable a Dublin Bay plan and integrated coastal zone management plan to be put in place for Dublin Bay; and when he will provide an opinion on the recommendation for such a management structure made to him by the Dublin Bay Task Force in December 2008. [15216/09]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 571 to 573, inclusive, together.

At my request, the Dublin Regional Authority established the Dublin Bay Task Force in May 2008, essentially to prepare a draft Master Plan for Dublin Bay and make recommendations in relation to institutional arrangements for coastal zone management in the Bay. The Task Force operates under the aegis of the Regional Authority and is chaired by the Cathaoirleach of the Authority.

A list of groups and organizations represented on the Task Force is set out below. The composition of the Task Force reflects recommendations I made to the Authority in 2008 with a view to ensuring the engagement of key stakeholders and decision-makers, though ultimately membership is a matter for the Authority. I made no direct appointments to the Task Force. There is no set term of office for Task Force members.

At the outset, it was anticipated that the work of the Task Force would, to the extent necessary, be financed by contributions from my Department's vote, the local authorities concerned and possibly the commercial port companies represented. My Department is examining the scope for part-funding the work of the Task Force having regard to current pressures on all areas of the Department's expenditure. I am not aware of the intentions of the relevant local authorities in this regard.

In current circumstances, consideration of legislation concerning integrated coastal zone management planning or other planning for Dublin Bay, and of related institutional arrangements, would be premature

DUBLIN BAY TASK FORCE

Groups and organisations represented

Dublin City Council (including elected members)

Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council

Fingal County Council

Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (including the National Parks & Wildlife Service)

Department of Transport

Dublin Bay Watch

Dublin Docklands Development Authority

Dublin Port Company

Dun Laoghaire Harbour Company

Coast Watch