Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 477: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the details of the membership of the inter-departmental group established to consider the analysis and recommendations of the Cork Docklands Development Forum report; the number and dates of meetings held; the actions taken to implement the recommendations of the report; and if the minutes of the meetings will be published. [27654/09]

Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 478: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when he will publish the report of the Cork Docklands Development Forum submitted to him in July 2008. [27655/09]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 499: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the progress in relation to the Cork Docklands project; the funding available for this project; the timescale involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27855/09]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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I propose to take Question Nos. 477, 478 and 499 together.

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 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.

In July 2008, the Forum submitted a report to the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, 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 main findings and recommendations of the report are in the public domain.

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, until at least 2010.

The Inter-Departmental Group established to consider the analysis and recommendations in the Report comprises representatives of the Departments of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Finance, Taoiseach and Enterprise, Trade and Employment. It met formally once, on 4 September 2008. There are no formal minutes of this meeting. The members of the Group subsequently liaise, with a view to monitoring the scope for appropriate public actions to move this project forward, as and when economic and budgetary circumstances allow.

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.