A proposal to reclaim about 50 acres of foreshore in Dublin Port to cope with increased levels of trade is meeting local opposition. The Dublin Port Company plans to fill in an area on the north side of the port to cater for increasing demand for storage and berthing facilities. It has applied to the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources, Dr Woods, for a foreshore licence to carry out the development.
An environmental impact statement prepared by consultants for the company concluded that the development would have no significant effect on noise, air pollution or on fish in the estuary of the River Liffey at Dublin Bay.
It also stated that the development would enhance access for tourism to the east coast by providing a site for additional roll-on roll-off facilities. It said there was no viable alternative for such facilities.
"The visual intrusion on the range of properties surrounding the port is projected to range between imperceptible and slight to significant," the document added.
Opposition to the reclamation plans is mounting in Clontarf, the residential area closest to the port.
Dublin Corporation Fine Gael councillor Mr Gerry Breen, who lives in Clontarf, said yesterday he believed 99 per cent of local people were totally opposed to the proposal. He is collecting signatures of residents who are against the plan and will lodge them with Mr Woods.
"I am sick of seeing Dublin Port advance on to the shoreline of Clontarf. We can no longer enjoy the spatial amenity of Dublin Bay because of the port's encroachment into the bay," he said.
"I will be looking for new legislation to reform the Foreshore Acts and to examine the structures of Dublin Port. It should have significant social input," he added.
Dollymount resident Mr Arran Henderson fears his view will be spoiled by the proposed development. He also believes it will contribute to further traffic congestion in the city centre.
Mr Brian Torpey, recently retired chief engineer with Dublin Port Company, told The Irish Times the development was essential to provide a deep-water berth for container traffic.
He said 99.5 per cent of the State's trade was maritime and a little over one-third of it went through Dublin Port.
"We also export 75 per cent of what we import. The economy is growing, and trade grows at about 1 1/2 times the rate of GDP. "We are attempting to respond to the needs of trade in the region," he said.
He explained that Dublin Port owned the foreshore in question and had been seeking to reclaim it for 20 years.
A campaign led largely by retired city councillor Mr Sean Dublin Bay Rockall Loftus meant their plans had not advanced.
Plans for the proposed works are available for inspection at Dublin Port's offices and at Store Street Garda station. Members of the public had until today to make submissions in relation to the effects of the development.