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Background History to the 52-Acre Struggle

In July 1972, the Dublin Port and Docks Board prepared its long term plan for Dublin Port.  It published this plan in the form of Studies including maps, which showed Dublin Bay infilled over an area of 2870 acres. The sea from Clontarf, Sandymount, and Merrion Strand had disappeared!!!

First Attempt

In may 1980, the Port Board published a small Public notice of its application to reclaim 94 acres of Inner Dublin Bay on the Tolka estuary.  There was such a public outcry that the board did not pursue the matter.

Second Attempt

In April 1988, the Board published another small Public Notice that was applying to reclaim 52 acres at the location.  James P.Maguire P.R.O of Clontarf Yacht and Boat Club, published a letter in the evening Herald on March 28th, 1989, in which he stated: "the Port Board is seeking to reclaim an area slightly greater than Fairview right across the mouth of the Tolka Estuary.  This would block the only safe deep water access between Clontarf and the sea, and must have a serious effect on silting in the inner bay...."

There were 4,000 objections.  Marine Minister B.Daly rejected the application.  He told the Board to come up with a co-ordinated plan for the whole area for the foreseeable future and that it must consult with Resident Associations.  The Port Company ignored Minister Daly's conditions.

Third Attempt

In October 1999, the Port Company publish another Public notice stating that it had applied to reclaim the same 52 acres.  It did not consult with any Resident Association.  Instead, it entered into a deal with Clontarf Yacht and Boat Club, and secured its support for the infill proposal.

In May 2000, the Department of the Marine decided that the environmental Impact Statement (E.I.S) was "seriously deficient".  The revised Draft E.I.S is now ready.

In February 2000, Marine Minister Fahey stated in the Dáil that "new statutory arrangements are clearly needed to provide for the integrated management of the coastal zone, including the greater Dublin Bay and adjoining land area" However, he said "it would not be reasonable to defer consideration of the Dublin Port Company's application until a new legislative framework is in place".  He also said " in the short term we are anxious to allow Dublin Port to proceed with its development".  As of now it appears that Minister Fahey will approve the Port Company's application even though his department has received thousands of new objections to it.

 

 

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