Labour proposes bill to establish Dublin Bay Authority

The Dáil is scheduled to debate a bill today which sets out to establish a Dublin Bay Authority charged with preserving the “distinctive character” of Dublin Bay, and protecting its ecology as a coastal resource.

Speaking in advance of the debate, Labour leader and Dublin Bay South TD Ivana Bacik, who tabled bill, said more needs to be done to protect the biosphere.

“Dublin Bay is one of the greatest resources our city has,” she says.

“We all have strong connections to the Bay and many of us share great memories of it too. It’s the view that often welcomes us home when flying into Dublin, it’s where many of us learnt to swim, sail or paddle.

“For others it’s the location for the opening chapter of Dublin’s great novel, ‘Ulysses’.

“All Dubliners have strong connections to the body of water that stretches from Howth to Sorrento Point. It must be protected and developed accordingly.

“Today, we will call on government to establishment a new Dublin Bay Authority.”

Deputy Bacik says the authority will have a very specific mandate that includes proposing and promoting policies that protect and enhance the bay, to promote sustainable planning and development around the bay, and to make recommendations to regulate and control pollution in and around Dublin Bay.

It will also promote public interest in the bay and co-ordinate the activities of public bodies and organisations in matters connected with the bay.

“Membership of the authority will come from elected members of the Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly and others with a special expertise or interest in the future protection of Dublin Bay,” Bacik says.

“Environmental protection of Dublin Bay will be a priority for the new authority.

“However, it will also have a mandate to improve access and facilities around Dublin Bay.

“Before and throughout the various Covid lockdowns, the bay became a true place of refuge for year-round and seasonal sea swimmers but too often we know that the water is simply not at the standard it should be.

“Water quality is poor, swimming is often prohibited because of pollution concerns and the biodiversity of the bay is under threat.

“There is also a raft of regeneration work that the authority should consider.

“For decades we’ve had to endure the crumbling dereliction of the old Sandymount and Blackrock baths.

“These were hubs of community activity, hosting swimming contests, water polo matches, and featuring bandstands and music.

“These are the type of public amenities that we need to see restored and enhanced around the Dublin Bay area.”