Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 402: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the position regarding the implementation of the recommendations of the Cork Docklands Development Forum. [25931/09]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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The Government established the Cork Docklands Development Forum in December 2007 to promote the effective coordination and delivery of sustainable public investment in key infrastructure, to facilitate regeneration and to incentivise private investment in Cork Docklands. The Forum was also tasked to address options in relation to incentives to overcome key barriers to the development of the area.

The Forum submitted its report in July 2008, setting out a policy and economic rationale for the regeneration project. The Forum Report envisaged very significant investment in public infrastructure, including the proposed Eastern Gateway Bridge, as well as possible supports for relocation of port and other activities.

The Finance Act 2009 provided for a new tax incentive scheme to facilitate the relocation of SEVESO-listed industrial facilities that hinder the regeneration of docklands in urban areas. This scheme is subject to European Commission clearance regarding compliance with State Aid rules. Funding decisions in relation to the bridge and other related projects have been deferred having regard to the prevailing budgetary constraints.

The Inter-Departmental Group established to consider the analysis and recommendations in the Report, and which is chaired by my Department, will continue to monitor the scope for appropriate public actions to move this project forward.

Cork City Council has established a special Directorate to co-ordinate and promote delivery of the Docklands project, as well as a Docklands Policy Committee comprising six local councillors. The Directorate has extensive interaction with relevant stakeholders including property owners, developers, public agencies and other stakeholders, as well as with the main Departments represented on the Inter-Departmental Group.