Dublin Bay Bill must be enacted early next year

• Labour’s Dublin Bay Bill receives cross-party support

Labour leader and Dublin Bay South TD Ivana Bacik has welcomed the commitment from government to consider the establishment of a Dublin Bay Authority to protect and promote the biosphere across the city’s bay.

Speaking in the Dáil, Deputy Bacik welcomed government support for the central principle of her Dublin Bay Bill and said that, as well as establishing a statutory Dublin Bay Authority, the government must commit to the introduction of year-round water quality monitoring to ensure greater protection for the health and safety of swimmers and others in the Dublin Bay area.

Deputy Bacik said:

“We are delighted with the very positive cross-party response to Labour’s Dublin Bay Bill, which provides for the establishment of a new statutory authority to take on responsibility for co-ordinating the work of the many agencies and bodies currently engaged in planning and development of the Bay Area. The creation of this Authority would ensure improved governance and oversight of Dublin Bay more generally, stronger environmental protection and overall enhancement of the Bay area. 

“A key focus for the Dublin Bay Authority would be ensuring the monitoring and improvement of water quality for our year-round swimmers – this is an essential initiative to improve the amenities of the Bay area and to protect public health.

“As a regular sea swimmer myself in the South Wall and Seapoint areas in particular, I am delighted to know that we have strong cross-party support for such an important initiative and I look forward to working with the Minister for implementation of this policy, as well as on the Bill itself.

“It’s time for a new vision for Dublin Bay. We must act now to enhance and protect the bay and coast into the future. I look forward to working with representatives of all parties to make further progress with our important Bill, and to ensure that we can together realise the remarkable potential of the Bay.”

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