Sir, - Sean Loftus in his letter (April 12th) congratulated the Minister for Marine and Natural Resources on setting up two task forces, one to examine port transport logistics and the other to examine the potential for the development of port estates.
Both these task forces involve ports nationwide and have been welcomed by the Dublin Port Company, as they will offer opportunities to tackle two key issues in relation to the future development of all ports including Dublin Port. These are how to make best use of land that is not adjacent to existing quayside and how to manage ongoing and future road traffic volumes through the ports.
The transport logistics group in particular allows us an opportunity to seriously look at a number of innovative ideas including the development of a distribution centre on the periphery of our city, linked to the port by rail and the construction of a fuel pipeline from the port to a new fuel distribution centre.
Unfortunately, neither of these initiatives will produce the additional deepwater berthing space that is required by Dublin Port to meet present and future demand. The port is now seriously constrained and at full capacity. If the economy of the Dublin region is not to suffer, new berthing space and adjacent quayside is an absolute necessity.
The Port Company has prepared a new draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to submit to the Minister in respect of the application for the 21HA extension. This document has been circulated to residents and other interested groups for their input and comment. I am committed to meeting with these groups to address both the EIS and a range of other issues of concern. This process, which is being established by a group of independent mediators, will be wide ranging and inclusive and go far beyond what the port is obliged to do under the Foreshore Act. The process, I believe, will result in a number of positive outcomes for all participants.
We are doing all this because we are determined to demonstrate by our actions that the Port Company can be a good neighbour and because we recognise that there are issues of concern to our neighbours that must be addressed.
We are also doing it because it allows us to correct some of the misinformation being spread in relation to the 21 HA extension. Mr Loftus referred to the application to fill in part of the bay on the River Tolka. The proposed extension is on foreshore owned by the company and by no stretch of the imagination can it be said to be filling in Dublin Bay or the River Tolka.
He quoted me out of context as having no interest in traffic impact in the port area. I work closely with Dublin Corporation and spend a considerable amount of my time managing the issue of traffic access at the port. Even after the Port Tunnel is complete, it will be an issue that will require ongoing attention.
He said that the draft EIS does not address the issue of joint ventures with other ports. The EIS examines viable alternatives to the proposed extension. Given that the vast majority of the traffic through Dublin Port is destined for the greater Dublin area, Dublin Port remains the preferred route for importers and exporters.
Being a former member of the board of Dublin Port, Mr Loftus will be aware of its contribution throughout the years to the wellbeing of the city and the local economy. He will also be familiar with the sight at 5.30 every morning of up to 60 trucks leaving the port, destined for the fruit market in Dublin. We are a national port but we are also a local port serving our city. - Yours etc.,
Enda Connellan, Chief Executive, Dublin Port.