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Mr. John Gormley, TD, Minister for the Environment, Heritage
and Local Government, has launched the inaugural meeting of
the Dublin Bay Task Force in the Royal Marine Hotel,
Dun Laoghaire.
“Dublin Bay - from Howth Head to Dalkey - is one of the greatest
resources this city has. I am delighted today to attend the
inaugural meeting of the taskforce who have been asked to
come up with a comprehensive vision to ensure a sustainable
future for Dublin Bay. I am also pleased to meet the commitment
in the Programme for Government to set up a Task Force to
examine and maximise the potential of this resource. I would
like to thank the Dublin Regional Authority for their positive
response to my request that it lead the Task Force in its
work and I am delighted that my Green Party colleague, Councillor
Bronwen Maher, Cathaoirleach of the Authority, has personally
undertaken to chair the group” - said the Minister.
He added - “The taskforce 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 Dun Laoghaire ports.”
Minister Gormley continued - “The work of the Dublin Bay
Task Force will be immensely important for the future of the
Bay. It will have members from all of the relevant interested
bodies - including local elected representatives, environmental
groups, the port authorities and Dublin development authorities.
“We must not underestimate the challenge facing the Task
Force. We must realise the full potential of the beautiful
resource that is Dublin Bay for the people of Ireland. The
benefits flowing from the work of the Task Force could be
enormous.”
The Minister noted that the Task Force can utilise and build
upon a range of studies and plans already undertaken or underway
- including Dublin City Council’s Dublin Bay Study, the Department
of Transport’s ongoing Dublin Port Study and the draft Dublin
Docklands Development Authority Master Plan 2008.
The Dublin Regional Authority was mandated to establish and
lead the work of the Task Force in light of its coordinating
and cross-cutting role and the group comprises elected members
from the Authority and representatives of relevant Departments,
State bodies, local authorities and community groups.
The taskforce will consider the many elements that define
the Bay and its potential - the natural environment and conservation,
the relevant social and economic framework, land use in all
its facets, provision of transportation and infrastructure
and appropriate institutional arrangements for effective coastal
zone management in the Bay.
The membership of the Task Force includes -
Cllr. Bronwen Maher (Chairperson);
Cllr. Dermot Lacey;
Cllr. Eibhlin Byrne;
Cllr. Larry O’Toole;
Joe Nolan – Dublin Bay Watch;
Karin Dubsky – Coast Watch;
Michael Stubbs – Dublin City Council;
PJ Howell – Fingal County Council;
Liam Walsh, Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council;
Chris Garde – Dublin Docklands Development Authority;
Michael Hanahoe – Dun Laoghaire Harbour Company;
Michael Sheary – Dublin Port Company;
Liam Whelan – Department of the Environment, Heritage &
Local Government;
Conor O’Raghallaigh – National Parks & Wildlife Service
- and
Niall Curran – Department of Transport.
The terms of reference drawn up for the taskforce by the
Minister include:
- an analysis of the Bay area as a multi-functional resource
of the city, including consideration of both the landside
and waterside uses of the area;
- an in-depth examination of the potential impact of climate
change on the Bay area (including storm surges, rising sea
levels, flooding, etc.) and consideration of the possible
measures to mitigate those risks;
- consideration of the future role of Dublin and Dún Laoghaire
Ports - including the scope for expanding, reducing or removing
the existing Dublin Port facilities over time, taking full
account of the Dublin Port Study which will be in preparation
by the Department of Transport in parallel with the work
of the Task Force.
Sustainable re-development or re-use of the port lands should
also be considered;
- an analysis of the impact of other economic activities
and other harbour and leisure activities;
- proposals for the extension/revision of existing amenity
areas and wildlife conservation areas - including the re-designation
of the Dublin Bay SPA;
- the preparation of guidelines on the future sustainable
use of the Bay Area;
- ongoing liaison with a wider stakeholder forum with open
membership - and
- facilitation by the DRA’s or a dedicated website for
the engagement of stakeholders and the general public.
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