As the year draws to a close, the development of a 680-berth marina facility at Dun Laoghaire Harbour is approaching its latest watershed following a delay to the commencement of construction work due to start at the beginning of last month.

A number of problems arose that have threatened the project but local sources are optimistic that these have been resolved. The major cause for the delay is understood to have been the construction cost of the two breakwaters required to shelter the marina berths.

The first of these, extending westwards from the new ferry car parking area was to have started by now with clearance of existing swing moorings to enable dredging work. Completion of this larger breakwater was expected in time for the 2000 season while the second structure would follow during next winter with the entire facility open for business in the Spring of 2001.

Earlier this year, the contract for the management of the marina was awarded to Marina Marketing & Management, the company owned by yachtsmen John Bourke, Michael O'Leary and Tom Power. Following this, a tender process started to select the contractor for the breakwater construction.

It has emerged that since the original estimates for the construction project were made, costs have increased substantially and negotiations have been successful in bringing this to the point of signing.

A second concern has been that of the foreshore licence to be issued by the Department of the Marine. The Dun Laoghaire Harbour Company is the semi-state body recently created to manage the harbour and reports directly to the Minister who also issues the licence. It is understood that approximately 18 objections were registered with the Department last summer.

The position regarding these objections is unclear with conflicting reports suggesting that these have either been satisfactorily accommodated or that conditions may be attached directly to the licence itself.

Meanwhile, the Dun Laoghaire Combined Clubs (DLCC) grouping have rallied behind the Royal Irish YC, the club most directly affected by the development. The Minister for the Marine has been asked to allow a number of moorings to be retained directly in front of the club's slipway as all their existing swing moorings will be lost under current plans for the marina.

In the autumn, fears were expressed for the future of smaller boats such as Glens and Mermaids that are unsuited to marina berths and have traditionally been moored just off the former Depot slipway. Following negotiations with harbour authorities, other clubs have been permitted to lay additional moorings in suitable areas. Additional temporary facilities for larger keelboats will also be provided during the construction phase.

The entire project is now becoming extremely time-sensitive: further delays to construction may cause disruption to summer activities or push the schedule back. European Union funding is a pivotal element of the projects finances and deadlines for this support are also looming.