Richard Boyd Barrett TD

A campaign was be launched today with Richard Boyd Barrett, fisherman Pat O’Donnell of Rossport and the film ‘The Pipe’, SOS campaigners & others in Dun Laoghaire harbour at viewing point overlooking carlisle pier, on Queen road. At a packed Save Our Seafront (SOS) meeting in Dun Laoghaire last night people decided to to fight the threatened privatisation of Dun Laoghaire harbour aswell as continuing the campaign for the restoration of the Baths. As part of negotiating an emergency deal with the IMF last December Brian Cowen agreed to review our natural energy sector “with a view to setting appropriate targets for the possible privatization of state-owned assets.” (Reuters, Dec 1). This is laid out in a memorandum of understanding as part of the deal. Companies such as Stena have made their interest in buying the harbour clear to both the Harbour Company and the Government. Compulsory redundancies were recently imposed on five harbour policemen and the Dun Laoghaire Harbour Company has demanded swinging pay cuts and changes in working conditions for other harbour staff in what appears to be a major pre-privatisation rationalisation drive. The cuts were justifed by the Harbour Company on the grounds that the Company claims it is facing major financial difficulties. Cllr Richard Boyd Barrett, Chairperson of the Campaign, said “Key public assets such as the Habour must remain in public ownership and should be used for the benefit of all. Any development should respect the character of the harbour and create meaningful employment. The fact that Stena have indicated an interest in buying the port and that at the same time has removed the HSS producing a financial crisis for the harbour company is a very worrying sign that moves are afoot to privatise the harbour. This taken alongside the IMF deal recommending the possible sale of state assets gives very strong reason for concern. We need to integrate the demands of traditional harbour users into the agenda, defend the rights of fishermen and protect jobs such as the harbour police. There have been five compulsory redundancies recvently imposed on the harbour police as well as demands for swinging paycuts for the remaining workers while the CEO of the Harbour board who earns €230, 000 and other executives recieve in the region of €130,000 each. the loss of a number of harbour policemen means there is no longer adequate policing to maintain public safety in the harbour. The harbour comapny has also indicated the possibility of residential development in the harbour. This is completely unacceptable as it would effectively make parts of the harbour exclusive to those who could afford the premium prices such a location would command. It also emerged at the meeting that Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council have applied for planning permission for a permanent barge to be located just off the East Pier. This barge, which has already been viewed by the council in Holland, will include a bar, swimming pool and sauna. Residents are conerned that if this barge has a pool, the plan for an adult pool in at the Dun Laoghaire Baths might be abandoned. Other issues which emerged were plans for a gaming complex to be built on the harbour concourse, like the one in Stillorgan and a car park on the seafront. While parking is a major issue in Dun Laoghaiire an underground solution rather than in an existing public amenity was proposed. Concern was also raised over the moving of the entrance to the People’s Park and all in attendance were unanimously against this proposal. The meeting decided to make the protection of the harbour as an election issue and will be asking for a pledge from all candidates in the constituency asking for the retention of the harbour as a public amentity. For info/comment Richard Boyd Barrett 086 814520 or Sara O’Rourke 0872886646