Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 262: To ask the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to the request by Dublin Port for permission to fill in 52 acres of Dublin Bay as a strategic infrastructure of national importance; if his Department, which is currently engaged in strategic planning exercises for the bay and port, has made a submission to the board or has sought the port to postpone consideration until his strategic planning exercises are complete and can inform the decision of the board; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24396/09]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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In August 2008, Dublin Port Company made an application to An Bord Pleanála under the Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Act 2006 to reclaim 21 hectares in order to facilitate proposed infrastructure development.

While planning applications are operational matters for the port company, the strategic infrastructure planning regulations list a number of prescribed bodies that must be consulted by An Bord Pleanála.

In this instance, I as Minister for Transport am such a prescribed body and was duly consulted on the application as part of the planning process.

In the context of this consultative process, my Department was informed of the planning application in August 2008 and subsequently made a submission to the Board informing them of the purpose and progress of the Dublin Port Study provided for under the National Development Plan.

I have recently received this Study and hope to be in a position to publish its findings in the near future.

The date for determination with regard to the port company's planning application is a matter for An Bord Pleanála.