Kevin Humphreys (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 34: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans for designating the eastern docklands of Dublin city as a strategic development zone under the management of Dublin City Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23968/11]

Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
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Under the Dublin Docklands Development Authority Act 1997, the Dublin Docklands Development Authority (DDDA) is required to prepare a Master Plan for the area to guide its social, economic and physical regeneration. The Act also provides that the Authority's Master Plan identify those parts of the Dublin Docklands Area where planning schemes would be appropriate.

Section 25 of the Act provides for the preparation by the Authority, and the approval by the Minister, of planning schemes for parts of the Dublin Docklands Area. In preparing a Planning Scheme, the Authority is obliged to have regard to its Master Plan, consult with Dublin City Council and other relevant statutory bodies, have regard to the Dublin City Development Plan, arrange for submissions by interested parties, and consider those submissions.

In addition to two planning schemes previously made by the Custom House Docks Development Authority for the Custom House Docks Area (i.e. the IFSC area), in 1987 and 1994, two schemes have already been made by the DDDA – for the Grand Canal Docks area (2000) and the North Lotts area (2002). In June 2007, the then Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government made an Order under section 25(1) of the Act, specifying the area of the Poolbeg Peninsula for the purposes of making a planning scheme. It is a matter for the Authority to prepare the planning scheme and to submit it to the Minister for approval. Such a planning scheme has not yet been submitted for my approval.

Under Part IX of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended), the Government may by Order, on foot of a proposal from the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, designate a site or sites as a Strategic Development Zone (SDZ) to facilitate development which is considered, in the Government's opinion, to be of economic or social importance to the State. Before proposing the designation of a site or sites to the Government, the Minister must consult with any relevant development agency or planning authority on the proposed designation.

I have received no submission or request in my Department from Dublin City Council or other development agency for the designation of lands in the eastern Dublin Docklands area as a strategic development zone under Section 166 of the Planning and Development Act 2000.