#CouncillorsOnCruise - NewsFour reports on the issues and requests from councillors during Dublin City Council meetings that stood-out in June and July 2015. Among the order of business was Dublin Port's cruise-terminal that was granted planning permission by An Bord Pleanála.
Councillor Jim O'Callaghan asked the Chief Executive to outline the measures in place as part of Dublin City Council's Dublin Cruise Traffic and Urban Regeneration Plan (CTUR) and work to date by the Council under this plan to actively promote cruise ship tourism to Dublin.
DCC noted that the success of the CTUR depends on Dublin Port Company receiving planning permission from An Bord Pleanála and other consents from other agencies to allow it to construct the Alexandra Basin Redevelopment Project. As part of this project, existing berths would be reconstructed to allow large cruise ships berth adjacent to East Link Bridge.
Dublin City Council, in conjunction with the Dublin Port Company and the Dublin Docklands Development Authority, together with a Local Support Group, developed a Local Action Plan for CTUR. Since then, DCC and Dublin Port have been actively engaged in promoting cruise ship tourism to Dublin.
A Strategic Infrastructure Application has been submitted by Dublin Port to An Bord Pleanála for enhanced facilities at Alexander Basin to enable larger cruise ships to dock. This scheme, supported by DCC, is currently under consideration by An Bord Pleanála.
Connectivity between the Port and the City Centre continues to be upgraded with the extension of Dublinbikes to the Point, and the Public Realm Strategy for the campshires within SDZ. There are long-term plans to extend the LUAS line closer to the Cruise Terminal.
