Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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Question 35: To ask the Minister for Transport his views on the Dublin Port National Development Plan Study conducted by Indecon Consultants for his Department; his views on his favoured scenario for the development of Dublin Port; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39548/09]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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In August 2009 the final report of the Dublin Port National Development Plan Study carried out by Indecon was published on my Department's website, www.transport.ie.

I commented at the time that the report is an important analysis not just of the future of Dublin Port but also provides a useful insight into the capacity challenges that face the sector as a whole.

The report highlighted the strategic importance of Dublin Port to our national economy with over 40% of national tonnage passing through the port.

While the report noted the significant downturn experienced in traffic volumes at both Dublin and the State's ports in general, it highlighted the need to develop significant additional port capacity by 2025 – 2030.

Such is the nature of the expected future demand, the capacity required will necessitate the provision of a single significant project, such as that envisaged at Dublin or Bremore, in addition to other projects around the State.

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Question 36: To ask the Minister for Transport if he has been briefed on the recent postponement of the An Bord Pleanála hearing into plans by the Dublin Port Company to infill 52 acres in Dublin Bay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39549/09]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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The Minister for Transport is a "prescribed body" for the purposes of Dublin Port Company's planning application under the Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Act 2006.

Accordingly, the Board has kept me informed of developments throughout the process. I was informed of the Board's decision to postpone the hearing by letter dated 22 September 2009. In a further letter dated 7 October 2009, the Board informed me of the background to the decision and the results of the Board's consideration on the matter.

It is my understanding that the oral hearing will reconvene as soon as a new consultant to the Board has been selected and fully briefed on the relevant issues. However, these arrangements are a matter for the Board.