asked the Minister for Transport if in the making of harbour works orders, he will stipulate that structures such as oil, gas and chemical tanks will, where technically feasible, be placed underground to preserve the environmental prospects, in particular in relation to developments in the port of Dublin where the view of the bay from the Clontarf sea-front is obscured by existing metal superstructures.

It is not the practice to authorise the erection of structures such as storage tanks under harbour works orders.

The carrying out in harbour areas of such development is undertaken by the relevant oil or gas or chemical concern and any such development would be subject to the provisions of the Local Government (Planning and Development) Acts.

In the case of Dublin Port it is a condition of all leases of port lands that the lessee must obtain planning permission for any development on such lands.

Are there harbour works orders before the Minister's Department at the moment and, if so, is he aware of the great concern of the prople of Clontarf and Howth regarding the effect of this type of development on the environment?

I am not so aware. If there were such orders they would be with the planning authority, I assume. I have not the information.

I understand there are some harbour works orders before the Department.

They may be before my Department but they have not come before me yet.

Would the Minister when granting harbour works orders include a condition that these unsightly objects be located underground?

There is a schedule with which these works orders must comply and one provision is that they comply with the Planning Acts.