Fahey to be asked to intervene in Dun Laoghaire marina dispute

The Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources, Mr Fahey, is to be asked to intervene in the continuing row over the £18 million marina at Dun Laoghaire Harbour, Co Dublin.

Critics of Dun Laoghaire Harbour Company's handling of the project have invited politicians of all parties to attend a public meeting which is being held by the Coal Harbour Users' Group (CHUG) this Wednesday in Dun Laoghaire.

The group has accused the company of "privatising" the last remaining public access to south Dublin Bay by handing over responsibility for the Coal Harbour boatyard to the main contractors for the State project, Marina Marketing and Management Ltd (MMM).

"We have taken this to the stage now where it is up to the Minister to intervene," Mr Tim Magennis, spokesman for CHUG, told The Irish Times.

Earlier this month, Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council came out in support of CHUG when it passed a resolution declaring that the Coal Harbour and adjoining boatyard should "remain in public ownership and control".

The resolution, which was tabled by Green Party councillor Mr Vincent McDowell, called on the three local authority representatives on the harbour company's board to "promote and preserve this policy". The local authority also expressed its support for St Michael's Rowing Club in the harbour.

The resolution was supported by one of the three councillors on the harbour company board, Ms Jane Dillon-Byrne of Labour, while fellow board members, Cllr Donal Marren (FG) and Cllr Betty Coffey (FF), abstained.

CHUG has called on the two councillors to "consider their position" on the harbour board if they are not prepared to abide by a resolution passed by their own local authority.

The harbour company maintains the Coal Harbour boatyard will be improved and made secure by MMM as part of its contract, and has said there will be no restriction on public access to the Coal Harbour slipway. It accuses CHUG of failing to engage in dialogue with MMM. However, Mr Tim Magennis of CHUG says the group can only deal directly with the harbour company.

MMM is understood to have deferred assumption of responsibility for sections of the harbour involved in the marina project until next March, following another row several weeks ago involving the Royal Irish Yacht Club and the harbour company. The yacht club has sought legal advice, after vessels owned by some of its members were "evicted" from moorings by the harbour master.

The harbour master's action was taken following a notice of termination of moorings by the harbour company in conjunction with the Department of Finance and the Department of the Marine.