|
The East Pier Terminal
The Holyhead Ferry 1 unloads at Dun Laoghaire's East
Pier terminal in 1965. Jim Bradfield
Collection. The
first drive-on / drive-off car ferry service between Holyhead and
Dun Laoghaire came in 1965 and to
facilitate the Holyhead Ferry 1 extensive engineering works
were carried out on both sides of the Irish Sea. At Holyhead
the Mail Pier berth was modified and provided with a linkspan but at
Dun Laoghaire things were not so straightforward and a temporary
berth on the East Pier had to be constructed while plans for a more
permanent solution were discussed.
The announcement of the new
service by Mr HC Johnson, Chairman of the London Midland Region of
British Rail, on 9th July 1963 caused an outcry at Dun Laoghaire
where the new terminal would force the National Yacht Club to move
from its premises near the East Pier. After five months of arguing
the Irish Government finally announced that the terminal should be
constructed other than at the East Pier. However, until the final
site for the new terminal could be agreed a temporary terminal was
built at the East Pier site.
Dáil Éireann - Volume 205 - 24
October, 1963
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Car Ferry Service at Dún
Laoghaire.
Mr. Cosgrave
8. Mr. Cosgrave asked the Minister for Transport and Power, what is
the present position about the proposed car-ferry service at Dún
Laoghaire, County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the
matter.
Minister for Transport and Power (Mr. Childers) Erskine Hamilton
Childers
Minister for Transport and Power (Mr. Childers): British Railways
have announced their intention of operating a car-ferry service
between Holyhead and Dún Laoghaire, commencing in May, 1965. I have
undertaken that the necessary terminal facilities will be provided
in good time at Dún Laoghaire harbour. The question of the siting of
the terminal has been under careful examination. The most readily
available satisfactory site for such a terminal would be at the East
Pier. The possibility of using other sites is also under
examination. The matter has been the subject of discussion with
representatives of the Dún Laoghaire Corporation, but no final
decision in the matter has yet been taken.
Dáil Éireann - Volume 205 - 13 November, 1963
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Dún Laoghaire Car Ferry
Terminal.
Dr. Browne
24. Dr. Browne asked the Minister for Transport and Power what is
the present position regarding the proposal to build a terminal for
a car ferry service at Dún Laoghaire; whether the amenities at
present enjoyed by the public on the seawall will be interfered
with; and what proposals are to be made for the rehousing of the
National Yacht Club should the terminal make the present premises
and moorings no longer available.
Mr. Childers
Mr. Childers: I would refer the Deputy to the reply given by me to a
previous similar question on 24th October last. The matter is still
under examination and I am not yet in a position to indicate the
final decision. I hope to be able to do so shortly.
Dáil Éireann - Volume 206 - 10 December, 1963
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dún Laoghaire Car Ferry
Terminal.
Mr. O'Keeffe
35. Mr. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Transport and Power whether
he is yet in a position to indicate the final decision regarding the
building of a terminal for a car ferry service at Dún Laoghaire;
and, if so, if he will indicate its nature.
Dr. Browne
36. Dr. Browne asked the Minister for Transport and Power if he will
make a further statement with regard to the provision of a car ferry
terminal at Dún Laoghaire.
Mr. Booth
37. Mr. Booth asked the Minister for Transport and Power whether a
final decision has yet been reached as to the siting of the terminal
for the proposed car-ferry service at Dún Laoghaire; and whether
full account has been taken of the injustice of forcing the National
Yacht Club to vacate their present premises and moorings, and of the
need to provide an adequate road system to cater for the additional
traffic.
Minister for Transport and Power (Mr. Childers) Erskine Hamilton
Childers
Minister for Transport and Power (Mr. Childers): I propose, with
your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, to take Questions Nos. 35, 36
and 37 together.
The Government have decided that the permanent Irish terminal for
the proposed British Railways car ferry from Holyhead to Dún
Laoghaire should be constructed at a site other [793] than the East
Pier. Investigations will be carried out by the Office of Public
Works to determine the suitability of St. Michael's Wharf for the
purpose and also the possibility of some other alternative suitable
sites being available in the harbour.
The ferry service is scheduled to commence in May, 1965. It would
not be possible to have a permanent terminal sufficiently advanced
before that date at any site other than the East Pier. Temporary
facilities not involving reclamation of the seabed or interference
with yachting facilities will have to be provided in the interim
period at the East Pier.
Dr. Browne
Dr. Browne: What does the Minister mean by the interim period? Has
he any idea how long that may be?
Mr. Childers
Mr. Childers: Until the
Commissioners for Public Works have made a final decision on the
site, it would be impossible for me to say, but I should think it
will be about two or three years.
Dáil Éireann - Volume 208 - 12
March, 1964
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dún Laoghaire Car Ferry
Service.
Mr. Cosgrave
27. Mr. Cosgrave asked the Minister for Finance when work will
commence on the proposed car ferry service at Dún Laoghaire.
Mr. O'Malley
Mr. O'Malley: The work necessary for the temporary car ferry
terminal at the East Pier consists of dredging, the construction of
a wharf and dolphins with a mechanically operated ramp, the
buildings to accommodate passengers etc. The dredging work is in
progress and tenders for the wharf and dolphins received this week
are being considered. That work will start soon and be followed by
the provision of [929] the ramp and buildings. The aim is to have
these temporary facilities ready for the commencement of the ferry
service in May, 1965.
Dáil Éireann - Volume 209 - 28 April, 1964
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dún Laoghaire Car Ferry
Service.
Mr. Booth
20. Mr. Booth asked the Minister for Transport and Power whether he
accepts that the proposed car-ferry service from Dún Laoghaire to
Holyhead will be of national importance so far as tourist promotion
is concerned; and whether he will now reconsider the request for
some considerable financial contribution from Dún Laoghaire
Corporation towards the cost of the terminal installation.
Mr. J. Lynch
Mr. J. Lynch: The proposed car ferry service will be of national
importance to the tourist industry, but it will have special
significance for Dún Laoghaire only if the terminal is located
there.
The most readily available and satisfactory site in Dún Laoghaire
harbour from the navigational, economic and operational points of
view for the permanent car ferry terminal would be at the East Pier.
In response, however, to the strong representations of Dún Laoghaire
Corporation and other local interests that the selection of that
site would seriously interfere with local amenities, the Government
decided not to locate the permanent terminal there. In view of the
fact that it was estimated that the choice of a site other than the
East Pier would increase the cost of the terminal by about £130,000,
the Government also decided that Dún Laoghaire Corporation should be
asked to meet the extra cost. The Corporation agreed to review the
matter when the position in regard to the permanent terminal had
been finally determined and in the circumstances I see no [470]
reason to reconsider the request made to them.
Further examination has indicated that a full investigation of other
possible sites in Dún Laoghaire Harbour would involve a delay of
nearly two years. This would mean that a permanent terminal could
not be provided earlier than 1968 and that the East Pier would have
to be used as a temporary terminal until then. On the other hand it
has been confirmed that the St. Michael's Wharf site offers adequate
facilities to meet the traffic in the foreseeable future. In the
circumstances, it has been decided to proceed with the construction
of the permanent terminal at St. Michael's Wharf. It is hoped that
the permanent terminal will be usable by 1966. The East Pier will
then be fully restored as quickly as possible to its original
condition and use.
Dáil Éireann - Volume 209 - 05 May, 1964
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dún Laoghaire Car-Ferry
Service.
Mr. Cosgrave
26. Mr. Cosgrave asked the
Minister for Transport and Power if he is aware that, while the
proposal to establish the car-ferry service in Dún Laoghaire is
welcomed, there is considerable concern at the effect this proposal
will have on the amenities at Dún Laoghaire harbour; if he will
ensure that permanent or temporary ferry service facilities will not
interfere with the amenities; and if he will also arrange that any
development work will be carried out in consultation with the Dún
Laoghaire Corporation.
Mr. Childers
Mr. Childers: The provision of an interim car ferry terminal at the
East Pier will interfere temporarily with the [933] amenities of
portion of the lower deck of the pier and with yacht mooring
facilities. This interference is inevitable because the East Pier is
the only site in Dún Laoghaire Harbour where the temporary
facilities can be got ready in time for the commencement of the
car-ferry service in May, 1965. As I have indicated on a number of
occasions, the pier will be restored to its original condition and
use when the permanent terminal is ready.
I announced in reply to a Dáil Question on 28th April last that the
permanent terminal will be located at St. Michael's Wharf and it is
hoped to have it usable by 1966. This site was chosen to obviate
interference with local amenities.
The completion of the works at both sites will still permit the
provision of yacht moorings in the harbour to the same extent as a
present.
Dún Laoghaire Corporation are being consulted at every stage of the
planning of the temporary and permanent car-ferry terminals.
Mr. Cosgrave
Mr. Cosgrave: Is the Minister in a position to say what the cost of
the temporary terminal will be? Is it a fact that it is suggested by
his Department that the cost should be borne by the Dún Laoghaire
ratepayers?
Mr. Childers
Mr. Childers: The Government decided that Dún Laoghaire Corporation
should be asked to make a contribution towards the construction of
the pier and the provision of temporary facilities owing to the fact
that it should increase very largely the number of persons staying
in Dún Laoghaire. Certainly, having regard to the fact that when the
ferry is running at full stretch, the first vessel will leave at
6.15 a.m. and the last at 11.45 p.m., it should offer an ideal
opportunity to the Dún Laoghaire Tourist Association to encourage
people to stay there to see Dublin, to take advantage of the
amenities there or spend some time there on their way through to
other parts of the country. The extra cost of the temporary
facilities will be roughly £100,000, of which £25,000 will be
recoverable.
Dáil Éireann - Volume 221 - 22 March, 1966
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dún Laoghaire Car Ferry.
Dr. O'Connell
9. Dr. O'Connell asked the Minister for Transport and Power the
total cost of the car ferry terminal at Dún Laoghaire and the total
contribution to it from Exchequer funds.
Minister for Industry and Commerce (Dr. Hillery) (for the
Minister for Transport and Power) Patrick J. Hillery
Minister for Industry and Commerce (Dr. Hillery) (for the Minister
for Transport and Power): The estimated cost of the temporary
terminal at the East Pier is £143,500 but equipment and material to
the value of £25,000 can be salvaged for use in the permanent
terminal, which is now under construction at St. Michael's Wharf.
The total cost of the terminals, estimated at £925,000, will be
borne by the Exchequer.
Dáil Éireann - Volume 241 - 08
July, 1969
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dún Laoghaire Car Ferry
Structure.
Mr. Desmond
52. Mr. Desmond asked the Minister for Transport and Power his
Department's intentions concerning the future use of the original
car ferry structure at Dún Laoghaire harbour.
Mr. B. Lenihan
Mr. B. Lenihan: When announcing the selection of St. Michael's Wharf
Dún Laoghaire as the site for the permanent car ferry terminal my
predecessor indicated that the East Pier [185] would be restored to
its original condition as quickly as possible after the service was
transferred to the new terminal. This is still the intention but it
is proposed to defer action until the new terminal has been
satisfactorily tested in operation. I expect to be able to come to a
final decision on the matter about the end of the year.
It is possible that some of the works at the East Pier such as the
ramp access to the Marine Parade may be regarded as a useful amenity
and retained.
Dr. FitzGerald
Dr. FitzGerald: That means that the Minister does not propose to
restore it to its original condition, contrary to his predecessor's
assurance.
Mr. B. Lenihan
Mr. B. Lenihan: To restore it to a condition at least as good as its
previous condition. Let us not quibble.
Dáil Éireann - Volume 248 - 14 July, 1970
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dún Laoghaire Car Ferry.
Mr. Moore
24. Mr. Moore asked the Minister for Finance when the temporary car
ferry terminal will be dismantled to return the pier at Dún
Laoghaire to its [968] original form; and what is it intended to do
with the dismantled materials.
Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Finance (Mr. Lemass)
Noel T. Lemass
Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Finance (Mr. Lemass):
The contract for the dismantling of the temporary car ferry terminal
building is almost completed. The materials of the main fabric
become the property of the contractor but the internal fittings are
being retained by the Office of Public Works for other use.
Mr. Moore
Mr. Moore: Could the Parliamentary Secretary be more explicit on the
date of commencement of the work?
Mr. Lemass
Mr. Lemass: The contract for the removal of the temporary car ferry
building was placed on 13th May, 1970. The work will be finished in
about one week's time. The clearing of the surface of the site will
take a further week. The future of the bailey bridge and of the lift
is subject to consultation with the Department of Transport and
Power. It is my intention to honour the pledge made by the previous
Minister for Transport and Power in this regard.
Dr. FitzGerald
Dr. FitzGerald: Why was the work held up until the middle of the
tourist season and not completed a month ago?
Mr. Lemass
Mr. Lemass: When surplus State property becomes available it is a
regulation that each Government Department must be consulted in
order to know whether they have use for it. Having gone through this
procedure and having had a meeting with the Department of Transport
and Power, Bord Fáilte and other interested bodies, we advertised
for the sale of the building material in the structure.
|
