On Thursday Sept 19th, in The Fair Play Café on York Road in Ringsend, about 50 locals and politicians attended a presentation on the Dublin Port expansion (3FM) project given by Minister for Transport & the Environment, Eamon Ryan. As well as locals and representatives from SAMRA, Councillors Hazel Chu and Claire Byrne attended and answered queries from the audience.
The aim of the project is to double the port capacity to 77m tonnes annually by 2040. The Minister spoke about the need for Dublin Port to be developed in a way that supports not only the economy but also the environment and the society in which it operates. He questioned the size of the expansion and the sole focus on road freight particularly in light of our obligations to de-carbonise our economy. Ryan has met Dublin Port to present the case for more rail freight capacity and for a smaller enlargement. More balanced capacity between Dublin and regional ports such as Waterford, Rosslare and Shannon-Foynes would make more sense in his view.
The presentation was followed by a discussion of various aspects of the plan with the focus on elements related to the South Docks and Poolbeg peninsula.
Minister Ryan drew attention to a proposed roll-on roll-off (Ro-Ro) Terminal Yard (Area O) behind the Irishtown Nature Reserve. Both the Minister and local groups want to see this area used as a public park or an extension to the nature reserve. This would be a fantastic amenity for locals including the new residents from the Poolbeg Glass Bottle Site.
The Minister encouraged locals and groups to make a submission in advance of the consultation closing date.
The meeting ended with refreshments served by the Fair Play Cafe where the Minister and Councillors engaged in a more informal chat with locals and local groups.
