Press Release: Environment 12 April 2007

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Greens Propose a Dublin Bay Authority

"One body needed to protect and manage Dublin Bay"

The Green Party has proposed a new Authority to manage and protect Dublin Bay. The Authority would ensure that the future development of Dublin Bay is properly planned, and provide for the development of water related sports and leisure facilities.

Green Party spokesperson on the Environment Ciarán Cuffe TD said:

“Dublin Bay is a fantastic resource that has come under increasing development pressure in recent years.

"Although Dublin Bay is getting cleaner, no one authority is in charge of what's happening. The Baths around the Bay derelict and decisions are being left to developers. We need a vision and a master-plan for the conservation and development of this valuable resource.

“We’re proposing a new authority that would produce a master plan for the future planning of the bay, as well as a Coastal Zone Management plan to ensure that flora and fauna are protected.

“We also want to ensure that proposals for high-rise development aren’t treated in a piecemeal fashion, and that there is better co-ordination between the three local authorities and the various agencies that control both the shoreline and the bay.

The Green Party believes the Authority’s activities should include the following:

1. Regenerating the Baths around the Bay such as Dún Laoghaire, Blackrock and Clontarf.

2. Ensuring that the proposed ‘S2S’ (Sutton to Sandycove) walking and cycle route becomes a reality.

3. Providing greater access to the water for anglers, swimmers and boat users.

4. Protecting low-lying coastal areas from the risks of flooding due to climate change or natural events.

5. Developing the South Docks and Poolpeg Peninsula as high amenity residential areas as the first phase of Dublin Port’s eventual removal from the City Centre

6. Creation of a Marine Park initially in the area between Sandycove and the East Pier in Dún Laoghaire.

7. Extending the Luas into Poolbeg Peninsula

8. Utilising the heated water from the Poolbeg Power Plants to provide district heating for apartments along the Liffey

9. Ending the discharge of raw sewage into the Bay from the small number of remaining outlets while also resolving the capacity and odour problems at the Ringsend Plan

10. Phasing out the parking of cars on the beaches of Bull Island

Dublin Bay Bill 2007

An Act to make provision for the management, enhancement, proper planning, and protection of Dublin Bay.

There shall be established, on such day as the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government by order appoints, a body to be known as the Dublin Bay Authority to perform the functions assigned to it by or under this Act.

Membership of the Authority

The Dublin Bay Authority (hereafter referred to as the Authority) shall consist of a chairperson appointed by the a majority vote of the Dublin Regional Authority and twelve ordinary members
.
Membership of the Authority shall include the following:

-Three members to comprise an elected member from each of the local authorities whose lands are contiguous to the Bay, namely Fingal County Council, Dublin City Council and Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council. The members chosen must represent an electoral division that is contiguous to Dublin Bay

- Three members to comprise a representative of each of the following bodies;
Dublin Port, Dublin Docklands Development Authority, Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company.

-Three members chosen by the Minister chosen from sporting bodies and environmental non-governmental organisations that have an interest in the Bay

-Three members to include one drawn from the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources and the Department of Transport.


Mandatory Functions of the Authority

The Authority must within two years of its inception

-Prepare a master-plan for the future management and improvement of the Dublin Bay Area. This plan shall include a building height and land-use master-plan to be drawn up for the lands around Dublin Bay in partnership with the communities, general public and users of the Bay. This plan should include maps of the Dublin Bay Area at a scale of not less than a scale of 1.5000, and a written statement. This Plan shall take account of the impact of climate change on the Plan area.

-Prepare a Coastal Zone Management (CZM) Plan for the protection and enhancement of the foreshore of the Dublin Bay Area. This plan shall reflect best practice in Coastal Zone Management abroad. This plan should include maps of the Dublin Bay Area at a scale of not less than a scale of 1.5000 and a written statement. This Plan shall take account of the impact of climate change on the Plan area.

Discretionary Functions of the Authority
-The Authority may carry out baseline studies to provide information on the demographic, physical, biological, environmental, planning or other data

-The Authority may make proposals for the greater provision and protection of the public amenities and biodiversity of the Bay, and access for recreational purposes as required;

-The Authority may acquire, hold and manage land in that Area for its development, redevelopment, renewal or conservation either by the Authority or by any other person;

-The Authority may provide for the development, refurbishment, promotion and enhancement of public bathing places, water-related sporting and leisure facilities, and related activities within its area.

- The Authority may designate parts of its functional area as a Marine Park for the protection and maintenance of biological diversity contained therein.

Finances of the Authority
The Dublin Bay Authority shall be financed by an annual sum assigned by the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government.

Fingal County Council, Dublin City Council and Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council may contribute such sums and for such purposes as they decide to the Authority.

The Dublin Bay Authority may charge the general public for the use of sporting and/or leisure facilities provided under the auspices of the Authority.

Duties on other Bodies
In the formulation of their own Development Plans or in adjudicating on planning applications submitted for planning permission that fall within the Dublin Bay area Planning Authorities must be in conformity with the master plan and the Coastal Zone Management Plan of the Dublin Bay Authority.