2nd October 2000

PRESS RELEASE

GREEN PARTY CALLS ON MINISTER FAHEY TO RESOLVE DUN LAOGHAIRE HARBOUR DISPUTE

The Green Party has written to the Minister for the Marine, Mr. Frank Fahey, urging him to meet with the Coal Harbour Users Group (CHUG)to resolve the continuing dispute over public acess to the Waterfront in Dun Laoghaire Harbour. Cllr. Ciarán Cuffe of the Green Party has also called for improvements to be made to the facilities at the Coal Harbour.

“The Deoart of the Marine are letting the Market decide the cost of access to the Coal Harbour”, ststed Mr. Cuffe. “That is not acceptable to the Coal Harbour Users Group.”

“The Coal Harbour is a public facility” stated Cllr. Ciarán Cuffe of the Green Party following the meeting. “Instead of privatising part of Dun Laoghaire’s heritage, we want Dun Laoghaire Rathdown Council to retain and improve the facilities there.”

“The only work carried out over the last twenty years  was some repairs to the slipway. We feel that a number of improvements are required, including a public access crane, an upgraded water supply, locked storage and public telephones. These improvements could be carried out by the Council, and allow all Harbour users to benefit. Over the last ten years the existing crane has been allowed to rust, and facilities have deteriorated.

Following the packed public meeting last Wednesday in Dun Laoghaire’s Boylan Centre attended by over 250 people, there was a unanimous vote of approval for CHUG’s efforts to resolve the issue.

ENDS

For further information contact:

Ciarán Cuffe                          6183082   or   087 265 2075