RedevelopmentFour proposals for a landmark building on Carlisle Pier in Dún Laoghaire have been shortlisted - but the Maritime Institute, which backed a failed plan, want to know how the decision was made. Lorna Siggins, Marine Correspondent, reports

The Maritime Institute of Ireland has expressed serious concern about Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company's handling of the controversial redevelopment of the Carlisle Pier.

Four proposals costing over €100 million for a "landmark building of international quality" were shortlisted in October by the harbour company. The four include one by Daniel Libeskind, the architect who designed the replacement for New York's Twin Towers, while designs submitted by Scott Tallon Walker, Heneghan Peng and Skidmore Owings were also accepted.

Details released by the harbour company on October 10th described the cultural elements of each development, but failed to disclose the commercial aspects.

Among the proposals rejected by the harbour company was a €48 million project submitted by Beaux Walk Properties Ltd which had the support of the Maritime Institute - owners of the National Maritime Museum in Dún Laoghaire.

Mr Des Branigan, president of the Maritime Institute, has questioned the selection procedure for the shortlisted proposals, all of which will "effectively privatise" Carlisle pier, he says.

The Maritime Institute has asked for the names of the five architects who assessed the various tenders, and the copy of the terms of reference under which they worked.

It is also seeking details under the Freedom of Information Act of the order of preference of the shortlisted projects, and details of the procedures to be employed in the planned public consultation promised by the harbour company.

Mr Branigan said that the Maritime Institute had supported the Beaux Walk Properties design, because it allowed for public access and for provision of a new premises for the Maritime Museum.

The plans also included space for a memorial to over 500 passengers who lost their lives in October 1918 when the mailboat, RMS Leinster, was sunk by a German submarine in Dublin Bay.

The Beaux Walk Properties plan is based on construction of a replica ship on the pier, to an early 20th century design. It says that the pier's dimensions, at 800 foot long by 100 foot wide, conform with those of a ship.

The pier would be "clad" with a steel ship's hull and gangways, promenades, soffits, fenestration, furniture and fittings would be made from materials of their day.

The architects state that the project respects the historical context of Dún Laoghaire and its environment, and reflects the maritime traditions of the area.

The ship's interior would be used for retail shops, an international maritime museum, a genealogical centre and a planetarium.

The four shortlisted plans include provision for a maritime museum, a diaspora museum, an arts and literature centre, gallery and emigration history museum, and an aquarium, respectively.

However, the Save our Seafront Campaign believes that the cultural dimensions may be "add-ons" to projects involving major commercial development, which would privatise a large section of the harbour.

The Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown Progressive Democrats councillor, Mr Victor Boyhan, who is a director of the harbour company, also says he is "rigorously opposed" to any residential development on the site, while acknowledging that a commercial dimension is required.

A spokesman for the Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company said that a team of architects had assessed the plans and there would be a public consultation procedure at the end of the year.

However, the final decision would be taken by the harbour company, the spokesman added. The Freedom of Information Act did not cover the harbour company, the spokesman said.

The Carlisle Pier has not been in use since 1995 when the Stena Line ferry terminal was relocated to accommodate the high speed (HSS) catamaran ferry linking Dún Laoghaire and Holyhead in Wales.

The pier dates from 1859 and was the last train platform for many Irish emigrants heading across the Irish Sea to find employment.