The Dublin Docklands Development Authority (DDDA) is finally to make its mark on the city quays with new powers to handle all planning applications from today. Once Environment Minister Noel Dempsey signs an order, the authority will begin handling planning applications for 90 acres along the Grand Canal Docks on the south side of the Liffey, in addition to its traditional hinterland on the northside of the quays. It already owns 24 acres on the southside, formerly occupied by An Bord Gais. This site needs to be decontaminated and this will be done by Pierse Contracting which has joined forces with a Belgian soil specialists company to clean up the site at a cost of £25 million. Once the first 15 acres are clear early next year, the DDDA will begin marketing a mixed residential and commercial scheme.

The Grand Canal area will eventually have over 4,000 flats and houses and a whole range of shops, restaurants and hotels, mainly along the city quays, as well as a cultural building and a public arena. Much of this development was dreamed up long ago but has been stuck on the drawing board partly because of the uncertainty over tax breaks. However, the fact that the Government has dropped the whole idea of tax incentives for commercial buildings is unlikely to reduce demand for new facilities in the docklands. The DDDA has promised to speed up planning procedures and its word is final. There can be no appeal to An Bord Pleanala.