The proposed filling in of 52 acres of Dublin Bay has caused concern among residents of Clontarf and the surrounding areas. In order to allow people make an informed decision on this issue Clontarf Online have decided to contact some of the parties on both sides and asked them to outline their stance on the issue. Below are the arguments for the infill put forward by the Dublin Port Company and against by the Green Party. 

CONTENTS

• The Case Against: The Green Party

• The Case For: Dublin Port

• Facilities, which exist in the Dublin Bay and Dublin Port areas as a result of port development and land, filled projects.

• The Case for the Proposed Reclamation Project.

The Green Party has called on the Minister for the Marine, Dr. Michael Woods T.D., to reject land reclamation and expansion proposals put forward for the Port area by Dublin Port. Dublin Port have made an application to the Department of the Marine and Natural Resources for a offshore licence to reclaim approximately fifty acres of land and erect structures at Dublin Port.

Green Party spokesperson, Bronwen Maher, said today, "The Green Party are extremely concerned at Dublin Port’s proposals for the expansion of the Port area. The expansion will involve the area of foreshore around Clontarf. The infilling of fifty acres of land will cost up to £40 million. The area is roughly between Clontarf Yacht and Boat Club and Kincora Road. The expansion will significantly encroach on the people who live in the immediate area of Clontarf.

Ms. Maher added, "We have studied the Environmental Impact Statement submitted by Dublin Port for the reclamation, and the Greens believe that it will have serious implications for traffic, and will result in a loss view for residents and visitors. It would also result in significant habitat loss for wild-birds, and would encroach on leisure facilities. We are appealing to residents to come out in force against these reclamation proposals and write to the Minister. We are not at all against the expansion of Dublin Port and we recognise that the Port needs expansion to cater for increased trade but we do believe these plans need radical revision. "

Bronwen Maher: 831 4949 / 087–235 7551

Facilities, which exist in the Dublin Bay and Dublin Port areas as a result of port development and land, filled projects.

1. The city quays and quay walls. The campshires of the open quay areas east of Talbot Memorial Bridge are presently being developed by DDDA as open amenity areas.
   

2. The International Financial Services Centre, for the which the land area was originally reclaimed and developed by Dublin Port as its warehousing operation.
   

3. The Great South Wall, completed in 1795 and built as a port breakwater.
   

4. The North Bull Wall, built in the 1820's as a port breakwater.
   

5. Bull Island which developed as a consequence of the natural transposition of sand and silt from the area of the former Dublin sandbar. This island now offers more than three miles of beach (presently due for upgrading), a world renowned bird sanctuary and two golf courses.
   

6. Fairview Park, infilled developed by Dublin Corporation.
   

7. Clontarf Road Promenade, also infilled and developed by Dublin Corporation.
   

8. Ringsend Nature Park developed on reclaimed land by Dublin Corporation

The Case for the Proposed Reclamation Project.

1. All existing port waterside land is completely utilised. All of our three container terminals are operating at a capacity.
   

2. Ireland now the only island nation in the EU, is heavily dependent on effective and efficient trading to feed and develop its economy. This requires and efficient port industry as an essential and integral part of the national economic infrastructure. Seaports handle 99.5% by volume of Ireland's foreign trade.
   

3. 65% of Dublin Ports traffic originates or terminates within 35 kilometres of the port. 3,500 people work in Dublin Port.
   

4. Dublin Port handles 34% of Irish foreign trade (including 50% of exports). GDP is forecast to grow by 8% in 1999 and to continue its recent growth pattern for the next 5 years at least. This growth, is an economy hugely dependent on foreign trade, will impose severe land pressures on the major ports to cope with increased imports of raw materials and semi processed materials and with exports of valuable finished products.
   

5. As Dublin handles more of our international trade than any other port, the greatest demand for additional land is in Dublin Port, which must now plan for the future.
   

6. A recent Government study (Baxter Eadie ) predicts a capacity short fall of 10.2 million tonnes in Irish ports by 2007- mainly at Dublin and Cork. If Dublin only continues to handle 34% of market share of Irish trade it means that by 2007 Dublin will have a capacity shortfall of 3.5 million tonnes, mostly utilised trade, unless the 52 acres is reclaimed.
   

7. DKM (government consultants) forecast a market share increase in traffic for Dublin Port of 40% by 2007.This means a short fall of 8 million tonnes by 2007.
   

8. This land reclaim will satisfy growth projections for the next 10/15 years. Failure to grant foreshore permission will cause an economic bottleneck for our capital. There will be no infill north of existing perimeter of the port opposite Clontarf foreshore

Dublin Port Company throughput has grown from 3.4 million tonnes in 1960 to 19.5 million tonnes in 1999, with most of that growth coming about in the last decade (1989 = 7.3million tonnes)

1. Dublin Port has consistently shown that it does not reclaim land speculatively. Land is only reclaimed to meet specific demands. The port is now operating at capacity. Additional land must be reclaimed to meet the needs of our growing economy.

2. The economy drives the volume of port throughput. Similarly importers and exporters choose to ship through ports for a number reasons. These relate to cost, convenience, access, shipping services available through the port, working hours and many more. The traders who use Dublin Port do so because it is their port of choice

3. Dublin and Cork, the only two multi modal ports in the Republic of Ireland, also serve the major industrial and agricultural areas of the country. As these areas expand, and as imports and exports to feed their activities grow, so must the ports extend to cater for this growth. Dublin Port, with a pivotal role in the continued growth and success of the major industrial hinterland, should continue to provide satisfactory port services. With capacity now reached, the port should extend to cater for the growth in traffic from its own hinterland.

Environmental issues are dealt with in the Environmental impact study, which is available from Dublin Port at Port Centre.