Madam, - Both Cllr John Bailey (July 27th) and Frank McDonald (Property, July 20th) appear to be missing a key consideration with regard to the use and development of publicly owned assets on Dún Laoghaire seafront.
Within spitting distance of the long-derelict baths is Dún Laoghaire harbour. This public asset is owned and managed by Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company, a semi-State company whose sole shareholder is The Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources. The harbour company made a profit of €2.5 million in the year to December 2002, the last accounts available on its website.
The harbour company generates income from the various users of the harbour - Stena Line sailings, the various yacht clubs, etc. It also owns the recently built and very successful marina and the major harbour yard development of offices, shops and apartments currently under construction beside the town hall. The Carlisle Pier development will ultimately provide another boost to its finances.
These assets are all owned by the taxpayer, but the revenues generated are ring-fenced and applied only to the actual areas under the direct control of the harbour company itself.
In summary, the taxpayer owns both the highly profitable harbour and the derelict baths, but there does not appear to be any current mechanism for using funds from one to refurbish and run the other.
Surely the relevant Government Ministers - Dick Roche (Environment) and Noel Dempsey (Communications, Marine and Natural Resources) should be capable of resolving this anomaly? - Yours, etc,
PETER MOLLOY, Glenageary, Co Dublin.