JOE McCABE,
Sir, - Recent correspondents have questioned expansion plans by Dublin Port Company, the latest planned acquisition being 52 acres.
A consultant engineer has estimated that this proposed infill would cause 150 million gallons of seawater to be displaced. Where would this displaced water go? Fresh in our memory is the severe flooding last February along the Clontarf seafront and areas of East Wall and Fairview. Will the Dublin Port Company take any responsibility for the consequences of its infill activities? Will it indemnify domestic householders against huge insurance rises and property devalutions?
We believe that the agenda behind this infill is the future privatisation of Dublin Port Company.Mary Harney is already on record as favouring privatisation of the ports. The package would be considerably sweetened by the addition of 52 land acres, created out of nothing. Who stands to gain most from the sell-off of this major Dublin natural amenity? Think big business, preferential shares, share options, etc.
The heated debate on this highly controversial topic will reach boiling point shortly, when the official notice of application for the licence to infill is published in the press allowing only 28 days in which formal objections can be made to the Minister for the Marine.
The first Battle of Clontarf was in 1014 against the Vikings. Already, battle stations are forming for the next battle against the Dublin Port Company. - Yours, etc.,
JOE McCABE, Honorary Secretary, Clontarf Residents'Association, Dublin 3.