Sir, - We welcome some of the comments by Mr Michael Hanahoe, chief executive of Dun Laoghaire Harbour Company (June 29th) about public access and present and future use of Dun Laoghaire's coal harbour and its boatyard. However, we feel it necessary to clarify our position in relation to a number of the points raised by Mr Hanahoe.
1. CHUG was set up to defend and ensure continued community access and use of the coal harbour and its boatyard.
2. The coal harbour/boatyard is one of the only places on Dublin Bay where ordinary folk can still participate fully in all boating and sailing activities and also allow them space to maintain their craft.
3. Our belief is that if control of the boatyard coal harbour is to be transferred to a private commercial company the existing community balance in the harbour/boatyard will be destroyed.
4. CHUG has already expressed these concerns at a meeting with Minister Fahey and we hope in the very near future to have a further meeting, as promised by the Minister.
5. It is CHUG's clear preference that control of the coal harbour/boatyard remain vested in the Dun Laoghaire Harbour Company as this is the best means of ensuring continued community balance in the harbour. Also, the Dun Laoghaire Harbour Company has a number of public representatives on the board who should have an ongoing responsibility to see that this community balance is maintained.
6. Regarding Mr Hanahoe's suggestion that we meet with Marina Marketing and Management Ltd, we have always made it clear to him that it is our belief that these disagreements will only be resolved by direct discussion with the Dun Laoghaire Harbour Company which, after all, is a statutory body with ultimate responsibility for the harbour. - Yours, etc.
Noel Brien, Chairman, Coal Harbour Users' Group, (CHUG), Hillview Lawns, Dun Laoghaire, Co Dublin.