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Dublin celebrates launch of new bay task force

Wednesday, 23 July 2008

A new task force has been officially launched to examine the future development of Dublin Bay and the ports at Dublin and Dún Laoghaire last week.
The Green Party secured the creation of the body due to their insistence that it be included in the Programme for Government.
The task force has been mandated to deliver a master plan which will be a "sustainable vision" for the future use of the entire bay area, from Howth Head to Dalkey. It will also consider any tension that may arise between commercial interests and the protection of the bay's heritage.
Earlier this year, Environment Minister John Gormley ordered the Dublin Regional Authority to establish the task force and to report back to him on a quarterly basis.
The task force will carry out an in depth examination of the potential impact of climate change on the bay area - including storm surges, rising sea levels and flooding - and will consider the possible measures to mitigate those risks
In addition it will examine the future role of Dublin and Dún Laoghaire ports, including the scope for expanding, reducing or removing the existing Dublin Port facilities, while taking account of the Dublin Port Study, which is currently being prepared by the Department of Transport.
It will also make proposals for the extension or revision of existing amenity and wildlife conservation areas, including the Dublin Bay Special Protection Area (SPA).
At the launch in the Royal Marine Hotel in Dún Laoghaire, Minister Gormley said he was delighted that the task force was beginning its work.
“It will look at a range of issues impacting on the bay area in the short, medium and long term, including climate change, flooding, amenity areas, and the future of Dublin and Dún Laoghaire ports,” he said.
“The work of the Dublin Bay Task Force will be immensely important for the future of the bay,” he added. “It will have members from all of the relevant interested bodies, including local elected representatives, environmental groups, the port authorities and Dublin development authorities.”
Deputy Ciaran Cuffe (GP) said “local ownership” would be vital to the success of the task force and would be beneficial to people living around Dublin Bay.
“I especially welcome the inclusion of Dublin Bay Watch and Coastwatch Ireland as their extensive knowledge of the bay's marine environment will contribute greatly to the work of this new body,” he said.
"I'm also delighted that a Special Protection Area has been proposed for South Dublin Bay. I hope this will end the debate on building an eastern bypass across the bay. Instead, funds should be directed to improving public transport infrastructure throughout the city.”
However, the Blackrock based Progressive Democrats activist, Victor Boyhan, said the task force was in danger of becoming a mere “talking shop”. He has called on the minister to provide a financial budget and to publish a full terms of reference for the body.
The task force includes Dublin city councillors; council officials from the city, Dún Laoghaire Rathdown and Fingal; and representatives of the Dublin Port Company and Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company.
Representatives of the departments of the environment and transport and the National Parks and Wildlife Service; environmental groups Coast Watch and Dublin Bay Watch; and the Dublin Docklands Development Authority will also be involved.

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