asked the Minister for the Marine if he has any decisions regarding the various proposals for Dún Laoghaire harbour, County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

9.

asked the Minister for the Marine the proposals, if any, which have been made to his Department by commercial interests for the development of marinas in Dún Laoghaire harbour, County Dublin; if any decision has been made on these proposals; his views on whether there should continue to be maximum public access to the facilities in the harbour; if he will give an undertaking that there will be full consultation with local interests before a final decision is made; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

23.

asked the Minister for the Marine if his Department has been involved in discussions with regard to the development of a private marina at Dún Laoghaire harbour, County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 6, 9 and 23 together.

My Department are currently involved in discussions with regard to the development of a public marina at Dún Laoghaire harbour. A proposal has recently been received from a private company to construct a 220 berth marina in the coal harbour. Yacht berthing facilities would be made available to the general public. It is proposed that the project, including any necessary dredging and breakwater construction, would be funded entirely from private sources.

The proposal is currently being examined by a working group, consisting of officials of the Department of the Marine and the Office of Public Works. No decision on the proposal has yet been taken. I am anxious that there should continue to be maximum public access to the facilities of the harbour. I have had a number of meetings with local interest groups from Dún Laoghaire to hear their views on the question of a marina. My Department are continuing to seek views on the matter to ensure that all opinions can be considered before a decision is taken. I am aware of another proposal. However, no discussions have taken place as yet. I expect the Minister will meet with representatives of the company shortly.

On the general question of development, legal ownership of the harbour still rests with the Commissioners of Public Works. When functions in relation to Dún Laoghaire harbour have been transferred to me I will consider the options for development of the harbour. I am satisfied that the proposed marina would be in line with the balanced development of the harbour and would make better use of the amenity value to the public which the area presents.

May I ask the Minister to state quite clearly if it is the policy of this Government to reverse the decision of the last Government to set up a harbour authority in Dún Laoghaire? It would appear that this is the case. Would the Minister confirm that the last Government had put in train the procedure for the preparation of legislation for the establishment of such an authority? If a harbour authority were to be set up would he not agree that it would be a pointless exercise that his Department, or any other Department for that matter, should enter into negotiations with any group before such authority could be set up, as presumably that authority would represent various interest groups affected by the future use of the harbour? Is it not a total slap in the face for local democracy that negotiations should take place between the Department and developers without any consultation whatsoever with the local authority in question, with interest groups and with Deputies for that constituency, who have consistently endeavoured to raise this matter?

I am anxious to help the Deputy to elicit information but clearly he has embarked on a speech.

I am asking a question, a Cheann Comhairle. We have received replies in the past to the effect that no final plans are available for Dún Laoghaire harbour because of its being transferred to the Department of the Marine.

I would be very happy to answer a question on the legislation relating to a harbour authority, if that question were before me. The question refers largely to the development of a marina at Dún Laoghaire. In view of negotiations and discussions that are taking place — discussions will take place with Dún Laoghaire Corporation — I assure the House no decisions will be taken unless they are in the best interests of Dún Laoghaire. The Deputy referred at length to the harbour authority and if it were the subject of a parliamentary question, I would only be too happy to answer it.

A Cheann Comhairle, I would like to point out that my question is more general and asks whether any decisions regarding various proposals for Dún Laoghaire harbour are being considered. Is the setting up of a harbour authority to guarantee members of the public access to this public amenity being considered in line with the other developments the Minister has mentioned?

All the points raised by Deputy Kennedy are under consideration. While the question may appear more general, it does not refer to the setting up of a harbour authority. However, all matters will be treated in tandem. I assure the House, at the expense of repeating myself, that any decisions taken will be in the best public interests, and will be widely accepted and acclaimed by the Deputies representing Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown.

Would the Minister confirm that since July 1986 his Department have had comprehensive proposals from Dún Laoghaire Corporation with regard to the future development of the harbour? Would the Minister indicate also when his Department might respond to that locally elected democratic organisation, that would appear to have the most immediate interest in and concern with the harbour? Can he indicate when his Department might have the courtesy to respond to them indicating what is to become of their proposals? In particular, would the Department be disposed to give a response at some stage to Dún Laoghaire Corporation's request for £250,000 to enable them——

Could I dissuade the Deputy from making a long speech?

——to embark on a feasibility study to support an application to the EC, where I understand upwards of 80 per cent of the capital costs——

Let us have finality on this question.

——necessary for the development of the harbour would be obtained? Will the Minister confirm the Department's agreement in principal that, whatever development takes place in Dún Laoghaire harbour, it will not involve the filling in of one iota of the water space that exists there?

The Deputy has referred to courtesy. I had discussions with the chairman of Dún Laoghaire Corporation last year and afforded him that courtesy, as I would afford anyone who has an interest in this matter. I was particularly impressed with the plans Dún Laoghaire Corporation have in hand for development there.

Why not let them embark on a feasibility study?

We will consider the application for £250,000 for the feasibility study and we will respond to Dún Laoghaire Corporation in the near future.

What is the position with regard to the in-fill?

I am not prepared to give an answer to that today. I am not fully au fait with the details of it but I will certainly take it into consideration.

Is the Minister aware that the previous Government made a decision in October 1986 to set up a harbour authority to ensure the integrated development of the harbour area, including traffic control — road and port — Sealink development, the local yachting recreational development and the local authority interests in the area? Would he not share the view that as a prerequisite to any development of the harbour, a harbour authority should be established? Will he inform the House who he had discussions with concerning the proposal for a 220 berth marina to which he has referred in his reply? What interests are involved in the discussions with the Department?

As I said to Deputy Seán Barrett, I would be only too pleased to give my views on the harbour authority——

Could we have that pleasure now?

On a point of order, I tabled a question on that matter and it was ruled out of order — the question was along the lines of Question No. 6 — so I have to ask it in some other way. It is quite simple to answer yes or no.

As I have stated to the House, I had discussions last year with the chairman and I was impressed with their plans. Consideration will be given to the views of Dún Laoghaire Corporation. I do not believe it is absolutely a prerequisite to set up a harbour authority there. If Deputy Desmond says the previous Government took this decision in October 1986 I have no doubt that is correct, as he was a member of that Government, but I do not have that information in my brief. I also accept what the Deputy says in regard to the objectives at that time but in the intervening period we had the election. We will give consideration to this matter but I do not believe it is prerequisite. I can assure the House that consideration will be given to the views of the corporation, the elected representatives and also any public representatives in the area.

Who are the developers?

Order, there are a number of Deputies offering.

I do not believe——

Order, I do not propose to dwell on this question much longer.

We are trying to help.

I will allow one further supplementary from the Deputy in possession.

In respect of my earlier question to the Minister about when the corporation might expect a reply——

I had been offering.

The Chair must be obeyed at some stage.

While I appreciate that there may have been discussions in train between the Minister and representatives of the corporation, will he agree that no decision should be taken on any development of the harbour until a final decision has been made and Dún Laoghaire Corporation informed, as they are the local elected, directly concerned authority for the area? Does the Minister envisage that the application from private concerns for the building of a marina in the coal harbour could proceed independently of the corporation's proposals for the harbour?

As to when a reply will be issued to the corporation, the answer is, as soon as possible. I am not giving that answer in a facetious way. I can guarantee that it will be as soon as possible. In answer to the other question, I assure the Deputy that full consideration will be given to the views of all the other parties, the public representatives who are not members of the corporation and also the corporation.

A brief question from Deputy Avril Doyle.

I wish to ask the Minister if the Office of Public Works will be bypassed in the future for any or all decisions in relation to Dún Laoghaire harbour and if the fact that he and not his colleague, Deputy Treacy, the Minister with responsibility for the Office of Public Works, is answering this question today is a statement in itself?

In my reply I said the matter is being examined by a working group consisting of officials of the Department of the Marine and the Office of Public Works. There is no question of by-passing the Office of Public Works, particularly as they still have responsibility in this field. The reason I am answering the question is that we will have responsibility for this area in the near future. It had been expected that the powers could be transferred fairly readily but I do not believe it is that straight-forward now. These powers cannot be transferred from the OPW to the Department of the Marine under existing legislation. I am awaiting a view from the Attorney General in relation to this matter.

One final supplementary.

Please, Deputy Barrett.

One very quick question. What is the logic of transferring responsibility from the Office of Public Works to the Department of the Marine if the Minister is going to proceed with the establishment of a harbour authority?

The setting up of Roinn na Mara gave overall responsibility for marina recreation and amenity to this Department. Thus the reason for my answering this question——

The Minister is not answering my question.

——and thus the deep involvement of the Department of the Marine, knowing full well that this area will be our responsibility in the near future.

Question No. 7 please. Deputy Sherlock's question.

The Minister has not answered my question.

I have been offering for ten minutes.

Please, Deputies, No. 7, please. Why not put down a motion for Dún Laoghaire?