asked the Minister for Transport if he will allay the fears of residents in the Clontarf and Dollymount areas in Dublin by announcing now that he proposes to refuse the application from the Dublin Port and Docks Board for a harbour works order which involves substantial additional reclamation.

I have not yet had an opportunity to examine in detail the application by Dublin Port and Docks Board for a harbour works order to reclaim an area of foreshore on the north side of the Liffey for port development. As soon as I have completed my examination of the matter, I shall announce my decision on the board's application.

Will the Minister say when the matter was first submitted to the Department, and can he give us an indication of when he expects his examination to be completed?

July 1979 is the answer to the first part, and I am studying the application at the moment and I hope to have a decision in the very near future.

Is the Minister aware that Deputy Vincent Brady, speaking on his own behalf and purporting to speak on behalf of the Taoiseach, has committed Fianna Fáil to opposition to the harbour works order?

Any commitments given will be taken into consideration before I reach a conclusion and make my decision.

Is the Minister aware of the widespread views that extensive reclamation would be seriously disruptive of the amenities of Dublin Bay?

I have read everything in the file; I have asked for more; I am in the course of reading the material at the moment and I am aware of all of the views that have been put forward.

Can the Minister give us any indication of when an answer will be available?

In the not too distant future.

Since the Minister is reviewing the entire file at the moment, will he undertake to consult directly with the elected members of Dublin Corporation, as well as the relevant sections, because any work carried out by the Port and Docks Board in this area would have a direct impact on the adjoining local authority area? Will he take into account the views of the elected representatives prior to the final decision?

I can assure the Deputy that I will take into account the views and the representations of the elected representatives.