Sale or closure of docks sparks local opposition

Navan Junction

Kathryn Hayes, Irish Times, 25/08/2006

Proposals to sell or close the Ted Russell Docks in Limerick has sparked much public opposition.


Earlier this summer a campaign to save Limerick docks was officially launched when well known Glenstal monk and local lobbyist Brother Anthony Keane, posted a proclamation on the gates of the docks.

At a special meeting of Limerick City Council last May, councillors expressed their opposition to any proposal to sell off or close the docks.

In a letter to Minister for Transport Martin Cullen, Cllr Diarmuid Scully said Limerick had been a functioning port for over 1,000 years and there were strong historical and emotional ties to the docks.

In the statement released yesterday, the chief executive of Shannon Foynes Port Authority, Brian Byrne, said he empathised with the emotional debate in the context of the tradition of port activity in Limerick. Due to the ever-increasing size of ships and the inadequate facilities and water depths, Limerick port could "no longer compete in a national context", he said.

Mr Byrne said that, while the existing port can only cater for ships of 4,400 tonnes, Foynes can cater for ships with 10 times that capacity - and even this is set to double to over 80,000 tonnes as the Co Limerick port continues its programme of expansion.

He rejected claims that 200 jobs would be lost because of the sale of the land. The port company now employs just seven part-time stevedoring staff, and nine full-time support staff.

The port company acknowledged that Limerick docks has been profitable, however this does not fully take into account costs associated with dredging, navigational aids, commercial rates and transport.

"When one considers that none of the cargo handled through the city's docks is destined for sale in the city itself - there can be little doubt that very significant savings can be achieved for the consumer if cargo is handled through a more efficient facility," Mr Byrne said.

"Together with the rest of my colleagues on the board, I am sensitive to the sincerely held opposition to this initiative, but the greater good of Limerick must be served now, as I believe anything else would be short-sighted.

There will be absolutely no diminution to the Limerick economy if this initiative bears fruit - this is one of the most exciting opportunities the city will ever be presented with," Mr Byrne said.

© The Irish Times

Limerick Dude

Heres whats proposed for the docklands in limerick.
http://www.sfpc.ie/news058.htm

dowlingm

A commitment to a financial contribution to reopening Foynes-Limerick would be useful if SFPC want to claim Foynes to be "rail-connected". At present SFPC want IE to do it and IE won't without a contribution from SFPC.

Chris_533976

The Limerick docks are a **** hole. Fix it plz, stop moaning about it.