Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 548: To ask the Minister for Transport the reason the plans for the deep water port are only available to view in Drogheda Garda station and in the presence of gardaí and cameras; the further reason it is not possible to copy information from the plans; the reason the plans were not made available to view for one week during the consultation period; the public consultation procedures in relation to these plans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30781/09]

Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 550: To ask the Minister for Transport the reason proposals for the alterations of the harbour limits of Drogheda Port Company, in relation to the proposed new deep water port of Bremore, are on display at the superintendent's office at Drogheda Garda station; the arrangements that are in place for the general public to view and assess these proposals including the copying of relevant sections at Drogheda Garda station; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30815/09]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 561: To ask the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to the fact that plans by Drogheda Port Authority for a new deep water port at Bremore have been made available for inspection only in the superintendent's office at Drogheda Garda station, that plans can only be inspected in the presence of members of the Garda and that no copying or photocopying of these plans is permitted; his views on whether this meets the need of the public consultation process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30936/09]

Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 571: To ask the Minister for Transport the reason that interested parties who wish to view the plans for the new deep water port prepared by the Drogheda Port Authority must do so at Drogheda Garda station, which only allows for a limited time, and whereby they are not allowed to make photocopies of any of the documents; the way same can constitute a legal public consultation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31791/09]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I propose to answer Question Nos. 548, 550, 561 and 571 together.

In July this year Drogheda Port Company made an application to me for a Ministerial Order to alter the company's harbour limits, as provided for by section 9 of the Harbours Act 1996, as amended by section 3 of the Harbours (Amendment) Act 2009. A public consultation with respect of such orders is not a statutory requirement. However, such a public consultation was carried out prior to a previous alteration of the company's harbour limits in 2004 and the company has conducted a similar consultation in this instance.

The procedure by which the consultation document was made available for public viewing for 21 days at the local Garda Station is the same as that followed with regard to the previous proposed alteration of the harbour limits in 2004. The consultation period concluded on 9 September and the documentation has now been returned to me with a confirmation from the Gardaí that it was on public display from 19 August for a period of 21 days. I have received a number of submissions in response to the consultation and will give due consideration to these before making my decision.

The proposed alteration of the harbour limits would extend them to the area around the proposed location for a new port at Bremore. However, a planning application for the new port has not been made as yet. Any such application would follow all the usual planning consultations.